Dewarim 23:10 Kabbala: Reshit Chokhmah

After we spoke in general about the damage of the Brit and the punishment of emitting semen in vain, we need to explain another aspect also regarding the damage of the Brit, and that is the sin of Keri (semen) that is found after one emits semen in vain, which damages the brit, and the meaning of Keri is “taking out” from the place of the holy Brit to give to the Chitzonim. In the Zohar in Pekudei (verse 864) there is an article called “the second chamber of impurity”, which is the chamber where the ones who defile their Brit are repaid. In the end of this article Rabbi Shimon says that there are two spirits there that turn into males and females, and these spirits defile men when they dream at night and they cause them to emit semen in vain. The punishment for this is a bit similar to one who emits semen in vain, since it says “guard yourself from anything evil” (Deuteronomy 23:10), implying that one should not have negative thoughts during the day so that he won’t come to impurity at night. We have already quoted the words of sages above that one who cause himself to be aroused is not accepted in the courtyard of the Creator.

Especially one who is not married should never sleep on his bed until he is satiated with Torah, as it says in Tractate Berachot page 14: “Rav Yochanan said, whoever satiated himself with words of Torah and sleeps, does not get informed with bad news, as it says, “and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by evil” (Proverbs 19:23).” It is already known that “evil” means one who emits semen in vain, as it says “guard yourself from anything evil” (Deuteronomy 23:10), which the sages explained to mean negative thoughts during the day. Therefore it is proper for one not to rest until he reads a lot of Torah in a way that he will be full, just like when one satiates himself with food one should satiate himself with the Torah until he can no longer study, like one who is so full from food that he can’t eat any more.