The Nazir
The Torah teaches us the laws related to the Nazir. This refers to an individual who usually takes a vow that lasts thirty days.
During this time, he does not shave or cut his hair, he does not drink wine, and he must not come in contact with the dead.
We are familiar with lifetime Nazirs such as Samson, but the Rabbis say, סתם נזיר לשלושים יום, that the average Nazir was thirty days. Apparently, such an oath was not taken that often. Shimon Hatzaddik, who served as Kohein Hagadol for forty years, once said that he only dealt with a Nazir only once during his entire career.
There is both a positive and negative side attributed to the Nazir. The positive side is reflected in the desire to take a “time out” for reflection and spiritual elevation. This individual is focused on how he can improve himself by not partaking of some of life’s pleasures. If this is his motivation, this separation can prove to be very positive.
The negative side of such a decision might be motivated by a sense of self righteousness. He wants to show just how holy he is by his separating himself and abstinence from partaking from that which is permitted. There is a rabbinical statement that says, קדש עצמך במותר לך, “Sanctify yourself with that which is permitted.
This means that an observant Jew is allowed to partake of all the physical pleasures of the world. He can live in a beautiful house, enjoy delicious food, and fall in love and marry. The goal is to elevate the physical into the spiritual realm.
His home can become a Mikdash Me’at, a small sanctuary. If it is filled with Torah and acts of kindness, it becomes a spiritual home.
The partaking of food is permitted provided that the food is kosher according to the laws of the Torah. The blessings made before and after eating, elevates the act of eating.
When a man and woman fall in love, and they live according to the dictates of the Torah, they might be doing the same act that other couples do. But this relationship is blessed by G-d and it becomes sanctified.
The hope is that the motivation of the Nazir is pure, and that his experience will bring him closer to Hashem. This is supposed to be our motivation as well, in all of our endeavors.