Judaism is not a religion that demands man leave the pleasures of this world and abstain from the good things Hashem has put here. Indeed, the Talmud considers it a sin to willfully refuse to partake of material benefits, and the nazir who vows to abstain from wine and all manners of intoxicating liquors runs the risk of being called a sinner unless his motive is pure and sanctified. This is why he must, at the end of his term, bring a sacrifice when he arrives to cut his hair.
Shimon HaTzaddik, who was not only one of the gedolim of his time but was also the Kohen Gadol, would never eat from a korban that a nazir brought because he considered his actions to be sinful. There was, however, one exception.
One day, while Shimon HaTzaddik was doing the avodah, a very handsome tall, young man whose appearance betrayed the fact that he was a nazir approached him. His countenance was enhanced by the beautiful, long hair that hung low because he was not allowed to cut his hair until the term of his vow was over.
“Oh, Kohen Gadol,” said the youth, “my term as a nazir is over and I wish to cut my hair and destroy its beauty.”
Shimon HaTzaddik was appalled that the young man had become a nazir knowing that his hair would be cut.
“Tell me, my son, why did you take upon yourself the vow of a nazir? Now your locks of hair that are so beautiful must be cut and burned in fire.”
The Reason
“I became a nazir,” replied the youth, “so as to defeat my yetzer hara.”
“Explain yourself, my son, for I am very curious to know your story,” said the Kohen Gadol.
“I was a shepherd for my father’s flock in the south, and one day as I brought the sheep to the spring to drink I beheld my reflection and saw that I was indeed a handsome man.
“I saw that I was tall and that my bronzed face was topped by my hair so black and shiny. As I stood and admired my countenance I heard my yetzer hara encourage me, as if to say: ‘Rejoice young man in your youth, for you are capable of enjoying life instead of staying here and allowing the pleasures of the city to go to waste.’ ”
Temptation
The young man continued his story: “As I heard the voice of my yetzer hara I could feel myself tempted by the thoughts of material pleasure that I could have. I felt the urge to leave the sheep and follow the dictates of my heart and eyes.
“Then as I looked into the waters I suddenly forced myself to see something else. I saw that this world is temporary, and that I was ready to give up eternal life for a few moments of madness.
“And so, I vowed to become a nazir. Now my term is up and I want you to cut this hair so that I will never be tempted to leave the path of G-d.”
Shimon Eats
When Shimon HaTzaddik heard these noble words, he leaped from his seat and kissed the young man on his forehead crying: “May the Almighty increase nazirim like you in Israel!”
And for the first time in his life, Shimon HaTzaddik ate from the sacrifice brought by a nazir for he knew that this one was a man whose motives were indeed pure and holy.