Whenever I read a newspaper, I read the events of the world with Jewish eyes. For me, the world sometimes serves as a commentary to the Talmud.

This past week, ?Monsignor Arthur Coyle, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, was allegedly arrested for soliciting a “known prostitute” behind a cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts. Without going into the sordid details of what exactly transpired between the Monsignor and the prostitute, the story reminded me of how even the most religious people sometimes show a profound lack of self-control.

Many years ago, I once knew of a rabbi who had a heart-attack and died at a hotel where he had spent a night with a prostitute in Reno, Nevada. (This story really happened!)

Poor fellow!

Yes, clergy have been known to act impulsively at times.

With respect to the Catholic Church, it is time the Church must permit their priests to marry. This change would obviously give their priests a healthy outlet for their sexual appetites.

The fact that the Monsignor chose a cemetery and not some sleazy motel is interesting. There is a Talmudic story that may explain the Monsignor?s choice of venue.

• R. Levi b. Hama says in the name of R. Simeon b. Lakish: A man should always incite the good impulse [in his soul]2 to fight against the evil impulse. For it is written: Tremble and sin not. (Psalm 4:5) ?If he subdues it, well and good. If not, let him study the Torah. For it is written: ?Commune with your own heart?. (Ibid) ?If he subdues it, well and good. If not, let him recite the Shema?. For it is written: ?Upon your bed?. If he subdues it, well and good. If not, let him remind himself of the day of death. For it is written: ?And be still, Selah?. [1]

It?s a pity the Monsignor did not study this passage? of the Talmud. Evidently, not even the imminent imagery of death had no impact upon the Monsignor.

The incident reminds me of a charming medieval story about? a certain low-life who once became infatuated with a beautiful maiden.? Once there was a low-life who became infatuated with a beautiful woman. He used to fantasize about her in his dreams. Each day, he flirted with her, telling her how much he wanted to ?get to know? her better. She ignored his overtures. One day, when he asked her out again, she told him to go to the cemetery?there, they would meet. Little did he realize the girl?s real message, namely??Drop dead!?

Feeling jubilant about the prospects of romancing her, he went to the cemetery and waited. But she did not come. The hours had turned into days, but still, she did not arrive. As he began wandering from grave to grave, he saw how others had distinguished their lives by performing good deeds for the betterment of their communities.

He began wondering, ?How will others remember me?? Then he decided that he too wanted to live a life that would earn him the respect and admiration from others. He began working on his character, and eventually became known for his piety?despite himself.?[2]

The moral of the story is simple enough: the lure of forbidden pleasures has proven to be the downfall of many great people throughout human history.

Strangely enough, maybe the awareness of our mortality and legacy in this world?symbolized by the cemetery?may serve to help reign in one?s powerful sexual energy. The rabbis and their students studied the entire day in the hopes that they would exert self-control.

However, sometimes Torah study by itself is insufficient. Perhaps a stroll through the cemetery can act as catalyst for personal growth and change.

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Notes:

[1] ?BT ?Berachoth 5a.

[2]??Reshit Chochmah, Sh?aar Ahavah.