The Torah's attitude towards the Nazir seems perplexing and contradictory. On the one hand, the Torah calls him holy as it says, "He is holy to G-d." (Bamidbar 6:8). On the other hand, the Nazir has to bring a sin offering at the conclusion of the period of his Nezirut. Furthermore, the Torah states that if a Nazir became defiled to a dead body then, "The Kohen shall provide atonement for him (the Nazir) for having sinned regarding the soul."(Bamidbar 6:11). Rashi explains that the Nazir needs atonement because he sinned against his own soul by abstaining from wine and grapes. Thus, is the Nazir holy or a sinner?

The Rabbis debate this question in Tractate Taanit 11a, "Rabbi Elazar Hakappar says, ' Against which person did the Nazir sin?' He answers, 'He sinned against himself by abstaining from wine and grapes. If one who only abstains from wine and grapes is called a sinner, then one who abstains from other permitted pleasures all the more so!'

Rabbi Elazar disagrees and says, 'The Nazir is called holy. If the Nazir who obstains from only one pleasure is called holy, then one who abstains from all pleasures how much more so is he holy.' "

We find this same contradiction about the Nazir in the Rambam. In Moreh Nevuchim III the Rambam writes, " One who abstains from wine and grapes is called holy and is placed on a par with the Kohen Gadol in holiness." Yet in Hilchot Deot 3:1 the Rambam writes, "Perhaps a person will say, 'Since envy, desire, and honor are bad and as the Mishnah in Avot says, remove a person from the world, I will abstain from them completely, and I will not eat meat, grapes nor drink wine.' "This is also an evil path which is prohibited to follow. One who walks in this path is called a sinner."

If so, what is the proper way of serving G-d? Is it through abstention from worldly pleasures or by enjoying this world? How do we answer this contradiction? Does the Torah see abstinence from worldly pleasures as a sin or as holy?

It all depends on the type of person. The ideal person should enjoy the pleasures of life within the bounds of Halachah. The Halachah offers one the ability to morally evaluate his desires and exercise self-control of forbidden pleasures, by focusing on permitted pleasures.

Sometimes, however, one sees that he is losing control of his prohibited desires. He is driven by his passions. In this situation, the Torah suggests that one take time out for Spiritual Rehab by becoming a Nazir. He must abstain from contact with a dead body and from drinking wine and eating grapes and from proper grooming by not cutting his hair. This Nazirite time period of self restraint will help the Nazir achieve spiritual balance and restore his ability to control his forbidden passions and desires.

Such a person is holy, but he should realize that this is not the ideal situation. Had he not allowed his Evil Inclination to rule over him, he would not have needed this radical, Spiritual Rehab of Nezirut. This is why there is an aspect of sin in the abstinence of a Nazir, for he allowed his Evil Inclination to get the better of him.

The message of the Nazir is to enjoy life according to Halachah by keeping our desires within Judaism's moral boundaries. Only then will our enjoyment of life fulfill the purpose of being a loyal Torah Jew.