108 Selected Reform Res ponsa
impregnation of the woman, is not considered an act of“wasteful discharge of semen”(Hotsa-at shichvat zera levatalah), which is so strongly condemned by the Agadic sayings of the Talmud . For while ~ as regards procreation— such a discharge is without results and purposeless, yet since it results from legitimate gratification of a normal“natural desire,” it has fulfilled a legitimate function and is not to be considered as in vain.
Now it may be argued that only in such cases where the parties—through no fault of their own— are incapable of procreation does the law consider the mere gratification of their natural desire a legitimate act and hence does not condemn it as“Hotsa-at shichvat zera levatala.” We have, therefore, to inquire further whether the gratification of their legitimate desire by sexual intercourse in a manner not resulting in procreation would be permissible even to a young and normally healthy husband and wife who are capable of having children.
To my knowledge, the Halachaa— aside from recommending decency and consideration for the feelings of the wife in these matters — does not put any restrictions upon the husband's gratification of his sexual desire for his wife, and certainly does not forbid him any manner of sexual intercourse with her. This is evident from the following passage in the Talmud (Nedarim 20b) where R. Johanan b. Nappaha, commenting upon a saying of R. Johanan b. Dahabai in disapproval of certain practices indulged in by some husbands, says: “These are but the words[i.e., the individual opinion] of Johanan b.Dahabai; the sages, however, have said that the decision of the law, i.e., the Halacha, is not according to Johanan b. Dahabai, but a husband may indulge with his wife in whatever manner of sexual gratification he desires”(“Amar Rabbi Yochanan‘Zo divrei Rabbi Yochanan ben Dahavai. Aval ameru chachamim: Ein halacha keYochanan ben Dahavai, ela kol ma she-adam rotseh la-asot be-ishto, oseh’”).:
This Halacha of R. Johanan b. Nappaha, supported by the