For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 75
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On yesterday’s daf we learned that there are only three mitzvot that are so severe that a person should give up his life rather than perform the forbidden acts: Avoda zara (idol worship), gilui arayot (forbidden sexual activities) and shefikhut damim (murder).
As a continuation of the discussion regarding gilui arayot the Gemara relates the following story.
Rav Yehuda quoted Rav as telling of a man who fell in love with a certain woman and became love-sick in his desire for her. After consulting physicians he was told that he would only be cured if he engaged in sexual relations with her.
We explore the literary structure of the story and its the history of its commentators.