Sinning for the sake of good

Berachos (63a) Bar Kappara expounded: What short text is there upon which all the essential principles of the Torah depend? In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. Raba remarked: Even for a matter of transgression.

Nazir (23a) Rabbah b. Bar Hana, quoting R. Johanan, said: The verse, For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just do walk in them,’ but transgressors do stumble therein, may be illustrated by the following example. . Resh Lakish remarked Rather should it be illustrated by two men, each of whom had his wife and his sister staying with him. One chances upon his wife and the other chances upon his sister. To the one who chances upon his wife applies, ‘And the just do walk in them’, and to the one who chances upon his sister applies, ‘but transgressors do stumble therein’.

Nazir (23a) Rather is it illustrated by Lot when his two daughters were with him. To the daughters, whose intention it was to do right, applies, ‘the just do walk in them’, whereas to Lot whose intention it was to commit the transgression applies, ‘but transgressors do stumble therein’.

Nazir (23b) R. Nahman b. Isaac said: A transgression performed with good intention is better than a precept performed with evil intention. Read then: A transgression performed with good intention is as good as a precept performed for an ulterior motive, as it is written, Blessed above women shall Jael be, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Above women in the tent shall she be blessed, and by ‘women in the tent’, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah are meant.

Nazir (23b) ‘Ulla said: Both Tamar and Zimri committed adultery. Tamar committed adultery and gave birth to kings and prophets. Zimri committed adultery and on his account many tens of thousands of Israel perished.