Barry Epstein asked:
Rashi says that every discharge is in fact a product of an extraneous stimuli. But a "wet dream", or nocturnal emission, is not. How do I reconcile?
Barry Epstein, Dallas, USA
The Kollel replies:
If you are referring to Rashi (35a) DH "Metamei b'Ones," Rashi actually says "v'Shichvas Zera Kol Atzmo Machmas Chimum Ones Ba" -- "And Shichvas Zera, its essential (cause) is because of forced heat." This does not seem to exclude a nocturnal emission, which is also produced in such a fashion (whether consciously or unconsciously).
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose