Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition - Softcover

Westheimer, Ruth; Mark, Jonathan

4.09

23 ratings by Goodreads

9780826409041: Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826409040 ISBN 13: 9780826409041

Publisher: Continuum, 1996

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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.

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About the Author:

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is the internationally renowned author of many books, including the paperback edition of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition (Continuum, date TK), which Library Journal observed "will be helpful and welcome to Jews and non-Jews alike." She is always on the go, making TV and radio appearances, as well as lecturing on college campuses. Dr. Ruth lives in New York City.

From Library Journal:

Arousing. Sexy. Seductive. You're talking about Judaism? Yup, or so says world-renowned sex educator Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Though many might find the statement above hard to believe, Westheimer contends that the religion celebrates human sexuality. Even the holiest of men are required to marry and, as Dr. Ruth so skillfully reminds us, "Celibacy is not a virtue. Orgasms are." The authors interpret various stories and help readers understand the significance of each. The book concludes with a handy biblical glossary and an annotated listing of legal codifications in Jewish law. Mark is associate editor of Jewish Week. Rotenberg's offering, which reads partly like a scholarly lecture and partly like a doctoral thesis, covers many of the subjects discussed in Heavenly Sex), only in greater depth. This shouldn't come as a surprise because Rotenberg has spent many years researching the impact of religion on the psychology of everyday life. The Dr. Ruth book is an enjoyable read that is essential for all libraries or certainly those serving a Jewish readership. Rotenberg should be considered only if a more scholarly work is required on the subject.
Marty Dean Evensvold, Magnolia Branch Lib., Tex.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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