Shvat cites in his study the biblical cases of Queen Esther, who slept with Persian King Ahasuerus to save her community, and Yael wife of Heber the Kenite, who seduces and killed the Canaanite general Sisera. He notes that the subject of “sleeping with the enemy” evokes heated arguments in the Talmud, as well.

The latter, Shvat argues, ruled that sexual intercourse with a gentile for the sake of a national cause is not only sanctioned, but is a highly important mitzvah.

“Naturally, an unmarried operative should be preferred in ‘honey trap’ cases, but if there is no other choice but to use a married women… her husband should divorce her and marry her again after the fact,” the rabbi writes.