The Talmud states, “What Joseph overcame with strength was a small matter for Boaz. What Boaz overcame with strength was a small matter for Palti ben La-ish” (Sanhedrin 19b).
It took great strength for Joseph to resist the temptation of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:8). When Boaz found himself alone with Ruth in the middle of the night (Ruth 3:8), it was much easier for him to overcome this temptation. Joseph had already broken its power.
When Saul gave David’s wife Michal to Palti ben La-ish (I Samuel 25:44; II Samuel 3:15), Palti ben La-ish lived with her for a long time and faced even greater temptation than Boaz. But here again, it was easier to overcome this temptation, for Boaz had already paved the way.
עַכְשָׁו בְּנָקֵל יוֹתֵר לַעֲמֹד בְּנִסָּיוֹן, כִּי הָרִאשׁוֹנִים שֶׁעָמְדוּ בְּנִסָּיוֹן כְּבָר שָׁבְרוּ כָּל־כָּךְ קְלִפָּה הַזֹּאת שֶׁל תַּאֲוָה זוֹ.
Nowadays, it is easier to resist temptation. When people of earlier times withstood temptation, its evil husks were broken.
עַד שֶׁעַכְשָׁו בְּקַל יְכוֹלִים לַעֲמֹד בְּנִסָּיוֹן, וַאֲפִלּוּ אִישׁ פָּשׁוּט לְגַמְרֵי יָכוֹל עַכְשָׁו לַעֲמֹד בְּנִסָּיוֹן.
It then becomes easier for others to withstand it. People have already withstood many temptations, making it easier for the average person today.
וְעַל־כֵּן אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ ז"ל (סַנְהֶדְרִין יט:): "תָּקְפּוֹ שֶׁל יוֹסֵף עַנְוְתָנוּתוֹ שֶׁל בֹּעַז וְתָקְפּוֹ שֶׁל בֹּעַז עַנְוְתָנוּתוֹ שֶׁל פַּלְטִי בֶּן לַיִשׁ".
The Talmud states, “What Joseph overcame with strength was a small matter for Boaz. What Boaz overcame with strength was a small matter for Palti ben La-ish” (Sanhedrin 19b).
כִּי תֹּקֶף הַנִּסָּיוֹן שֶׁל יוֹסֵף הַצַּדִּיק (בְּרֵאשִׁית לט) הָיָה דָּבָר קַל וּפָשׁוּט אֵצֶל בֹּעַז שֶׁהָיָה אַחֲרָיו (רוּת ג).
It took great strength for Joseph to resist the temptation of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:8). When Boaz found himself alone with Ruth in the middle of the night (Ruth 3:8), it was much easier for him to overcome this temptation. Joseph had already broken its power.
וְכֵן תֹּקֶף הַנִּסָּיוֹן שֶׁל בֹּעַז הָיָה קַל וּפָשׁוּט אֵצֶל פַּלְטִי (שְׁמוּאֵל־א כה). כִּי כָּל מִי שֶׁהָיָה אַחֲרוֹן יוֹתֵר הַנִּסָּיוֹן קַל אֶצְלוֹ יוֹתֵר כַּנַּ"ל.
When Saul gave David’s wife Michal to Palti ben La-ish (I Samuel 25:44; II Samuel 3:15), Palti ben La-ish lived with her for a long time and faced even greater temptation than Boaz. But here again, it was easier to overcome this temptation, for Boaz had already paved the way.
וְעַל־כֵּן עַכְשָׁו בְּנָקֵל לַעֲמֹד בְּנִסָּיוֹן, אֲפִלּוּ אִישׁ פָּשׁוּט לְגַמְרֵי כַּנַּ"ל.
As the years pass, it becomes easier to resist temptation and for the average person to withstand it.