Question:
Is a man with azoospermia (absence of motile - and hence viable - sperm in the semen) allowed to masturbate?
GYE Responds:
Interesting question. I will pass it on to a Rav who deals with such questions.
Meanwhile though, please see what we answer when a woman asks us if masturbation is permitted for her:
If the masturbation involves viewing porn, it is definitely assur, not to mention that the shmutz warps our perception of intimacy, can damage our (future?) marriage, and can easily become addictive. See this article written by a non-Jewish woman about watching porn...
But if you are asking just about masturbation alone, it is less severe of a sin than it is for a man, although some poskim hold that women do have a prohibition of masturbation like men do - see this article for more details.
But please keep in mind that even if it is not an out-and-out issur, indulging in self-gratification that is not necessary for the body's health, fuels the power of the "self" and that of the material over the spiritual, which in turn takes one away from holiness. Especially such an intense, fantasy based pleasure like masturbation. Women also are also obligated by the commandment to "Be holy!" which this behavior certainly is not. Besides for the lack of sanctity and purity of thought involved in the act, fantasies also can lead to forbidden acts, not to mention the possibility of becoming addicted to these behaviors. And addiction can quickly take over our lives and distract us from all our goals...
So remember this: Hashem is the source of all pleasure, good, love and warmth, and He is waiting for you to fall into His arms. The darkness of lust only serves to blind us from His love.
If you need help to break free of these behaviors, please sign up to our site here and watch the 8-minute video on our homepage guardyoureyes.com.
Rabbi Morgenstern Responds:
There is a discussion among poskim, but l'halacha it is not permissible.