List of things that can be done to lessen intensity of lust for opposite gender

*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer

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List of things that can be done to lessen its intensity:

Think of its root and source:[1] To control one’s lust and passion for intimacy, one needs to contemplate its origination. How in truth, originally, there was no lust involved with this limb, and the lust only came about through the sin of Adam. When one looks at this limb similar to any other limb of the body, it helps to divest it from its lust.

Dieting:[2] Eating non-Kosher foods, as well as heavy and unhealthy foods, can add to lustful feelings and challenge him to sin.

Torah learning:[3] Learning Torah assiduously [irrelevant of subject[4]]  helps to diminish one’s lust for intercourse, and rehabilitate oneself from addiction. [Thus, wives who have difficulty satiating their husbands demands on a daily (or even multiple times daily) basis, should encourage their husbands to go to Shiureiy Torah at night, which is the “cure” for indulgence in material lusts.]

Prayer: One who feels challenged by his constant desire for intercourse is to pray to G-d to assist him in diminishing his lust for intercourse.[5] Likewise, Davening with Avoda (contemplating G-d’s greatness and arousing feelings for G-d) helps remove one from his indulgent state.

Iskafya:[6] By performing Iskafya in other areas of life, such as controlling what one eats and looks at, will assist in breaking his lust for intercourse.

Teshuvah:[7] Performing Teshuvah, and being broken hearted at one’s state of Avodas Hashem, can help battle and diminish one’s lust for intercourse.

Shemiras Eiynayim:[8] Controlling one’s eyes from looking at lustful matters which he desires is a great method of controlling one’s inclination. This especially applies against looking at a prostitute or people involved in promiscuity [and certainly against pornography].[9]

Keeping the Niddah laws properly:[10] Keeping the Niddah laws properly helps protect one from the Sitra Achra attaching itself to one’s intimacy. Lack of doing so allows the side of evil to accompany the couple even when the wife is pure and prevents them from sanctification during intercourse.

Distance oneself from feces and filth:[11] The Sitra Achra is found by dirt and filth, and hence, one is to distance himself from them in order to prevent the Sitra Achra from attaching to him.

Avoiding churches, secular courts and other houses of heresy and idolatry:[12] One is to distance himself from churches, secular courts and other houses of heresy to prevent the Sitra Achra from attaching to him.

Shalom Bayis:[13] The most important aspect necessary to banish the Sitra Achra from residing in one’s intimacy, is to maintain a peaceful home and for the couple to avoid fights and arguments.

Placing the right before the left:[14] One is to always precede his right side before his left side, in order to prevent the Sitra Achra, which resides on the left side, from overpowering him.

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[1] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:9

[2] See K’sav Sofer Tazria 171a; Beha’alos’cha 203

[3] See Kiddushin 30b; Rambam Issureiy Biyah 22:21; Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:12; K’sav Sofer Acharei Mos 174; Derech Mitzvosecha Tefillin 18a; Ma’amarei Admur Ha’emtzai Bamidbar 3:940

[4] Derech Mitzvosecha Tefillin 18a

[5] See Sefer Yalkut Moshiach U’geula 6:100 in name of Ginzei Yosef

[6] See Ra’avad in Ba’alei Hanefesh Sha’ar Hakedusha 10 at length that to diminish his lust [for intercourse] he should control what he eats and drinks and not do so for pleasure; Ma’amarei Admur Ha’emtzai Shemos 2:562 regarding Bitushim from above or below that they help break and purify his heart.

[7] Ma’amarei Admur Ha’emtzai Shemos 2:562

[8] Ra’avad in Ba’alei Hanefesh Sha’ar Hakedusha 11

[9] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:33

[10] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:16

[11] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:33

[12] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:33

[13] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:33

[14] Reishis Chochmah Sha’ar Hakedusha 16:34

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