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In this
lighthearted, lively tour of sexuality within Jewish religion and culture,
Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer and Jonathan Mark team up to reveal how, contrary to
popular wisdom, the Jewish tradition is much more progressive in many
regards than one might think. Applying Dr. Ruth's unique brand of "couples
therapy" to such Biblical relationships as those of Abraham and Sarah, and
Joseph and Potiphar's wife, the authors enlist Biblical lore to cover such
topics as surrogacy, incest, and arranged marriages. They offer a clearer
understanding of the intertwining relationships among sexuality,
spirituality, and sexual roles through a look at the latter books of the
Bible - the Song of Songs, Ruth, Proverbs, Psalms, and some of the bawdier
tales of the Prophets. One chapter provides a provocative metaphorical
perspective on the Sabbath as a weekly revival, highlighting not only its
spiritual but its marital and sexual aspects as well. "The argument -- that Judaism, as opposed to Christianity, celebrates sex as a divinely sanctioned act -- is presented in a relentlessly upbeat tone...Through this book, Dr. Ruth offers a sexual "light unto the nations." -Forward "Contrary to popular wisdom, the Jewish tradition is much more progressive in many regards than one may think. Dr. Ruth applies her "couples therapy" approach to such Biblical relationships as those of Abraham and Sarah, and Joseph and Potiphar's wife. The authors enlist Biblical lore to cover topics as surrogacy, incest, and arranged marriages, among others. The book focuses on Orthodox Judaism's answers to such questions as How often should couples have sex? Can traditional Jewish notions of sex and sexuality be reconciled with contemporary lifestyles?" -Jewish Book World "The well-known "Dr. Ruth" and Jonathan Mark (associate editor, Jewish Week) offer an engaging, accessible tour of sexuality within Jewish religion and culture. They look at the Bible and its galaxies of commentaries and at customs surrounding marriage and sexuality to describe a tradition that both honors and esteems the pleasures of sex" -Booknews |
