Marital Intimacy: A Traditional Jewish Approach »

This book presents a traditional Jewish approach to the complex and multifaceted subject of intimacy in the Jewish marriage, misinterpreted by some as centering around the denial of pleasure. Jewish literature has often addressed the negative aspects of the power of the human sexual drive. This is a misrepresentation and, ultimately, a falsification of Jewish tradition. Marital Intimacy is a refreshing affirmation of the Jewish view of sexuality in which the sages laud the enjoyment of physical pleasure in general, and sexual pleasure within the marriage relationship in particular, while still condemning hedonism and self-indulgence. In Iggeret HaKodesh (The Holy Letter), the classic treatise on sexuality attributed to the Ramban, it is written: "The union of man with his wife, when it is proper, is the mystery of the foundation of the world and its civilization. Through the act they become partners with God in creation." The sexual union between a husband and wife is sacred in the Jewish tradition, which considers sexual intimacy to be above and beyond the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply." Even a barren couple is commanded to make love, for it is a spiritual union that brings husband and wife closer to each other and closer to God. In Marital Intimacy, Avraham Peretz Friedman discusses the need for contemporary presentations of the Jewish view of intimacy, the unique role of sex among all other physical pleasures, the Torah's encouragement of procreation, sanctification of the sexual act, the commandment to have sexual relations, and the laws of family purity that govern sexual behavior within the marriage. Friedman presents the rudiments of a traditional Jewish approach to marital intimacy, intended to serve as an introduction to the vast body of Torah literature on this fascinating subject with its inexhaustible wealth of information, instruction, insight, and inspiration.

Publishers Weekly

This book defines the Jewish view of human sexuality and differentiates it from general Western conceptions. The Torah regards sex as holy, provided by God for humankind, and as a positive aspect of life so long as it is performed within the context of marriage, with the pleasure of one's partner in mind, and with the worship of God paramount. In Friedman's view, this basic Jewish notion of intimacy sets it apart from the Christian version, which considers intimacy more negatively. Pleasure, prized by both religions, is often seen by many Christians as a temptation to evil, something to be abstained from in this world in order that other rewards may be enjoyed in the next. Judaism, by contrast, believes pleasure to be sanctioned by God, seeing it as a bridge between the profane and sacred realms. Where Christianity can find a conflict between the physical and the spiritual, Judaism finds them united in a God-created whole. Friedman's is a fascinating presentation of a sensitive subject and one that is highly recommended. (Mar.)