אות - שד

Once he mocked this and said: About this one prays every day — "And do not bring me to sin [nisayon] and not to disgrace [bizayon]." And he said in these words: "Oder ah nisayon oder ah bizayon" — either a test or disgrace. That is: for if one does not stand in the test, one will have disgrace. And it has already been explained partially — that he spoke much about despising this desire and said that it is not a desire at all, etc.[478] Afterward he said that there are many who from the great extent of their physicality and their habituation in this matter — it avails them nothing at all when people try to make them despise this matter. On the contrary — in whatever language one speaks to them about it, the thoughts become stronger against them. Therefore for most people it is better not to begin to think about this at all — as is explained in the Alef-Beis: "Do not enter with your temptations into a debate as plaintiff and defendant," etc.[479] 478. RAK: See Shivchei HaRan 16; above, section 51. 479. RAK: Sefer HaMidos, Licentiousness, section 10.