Heavenly Sex: Sexuality and the Jewish Tradition

By Ruth Westheimer and Jonathan Mark

Book Overview

Dr. Ruth bridges the gap between sex and religion. In this light-hearted, lively tour of sexuality within Jewish religion and culture, Dr. Ruth 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 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 between 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. Focusing specifically on Orthodox forms of Judaism and offering Dr. Ruth's singular interpretations, the book answers such questions as: What night of the week is best for making love? How often should couples have sex? Can traditional Jewish notions of sex and sexuality be reconciled with contemporary beliefs? What roles can and do dreams and fantasy play? Heavenly Sex familiarizes the reader with a generous and lusty religious tradition that has too often been lost within the rubric of a larger Christian culture with a completely different view of sexuality.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814792685
• ISBN13: 9780814792681
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: NYU Press
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

A scholarly review of Jewish texts that define sexuality.

Dr. Westheimer uses texts as diverse as Torah to Sephardic midrash from all ages to explain Jewish views and practices. In particular, she draws on biblical stories to illustrate laws and their contradictions. When appropriate she compares modern views from non-Orthodox rabbis to show in what ways Talmud practice has or has not adjusted over the years. As usual written from an utterly non-judgemental perspective, and as blunt in her stories and descriptions. A nice read to your partner on a Shabbat evening.

Not a good book if you are ORTHODOX.

I read this book and was appalled by the Orthodox bashing and the inordinate amount of time spent on Orthodoxy and how it handles closet homosexuality. She said nothing about appropriate sexual behavior according to halacha. Furthermore, although she spent some time on the Laws of Niddah, most of that time was spent exaggerating the problem of impotence or premature ejaculation as a possible problem of Orhtodox observance of sexual practice. I was so glad that I purchased "heavenly sex" in a used book store and paid a fraction of what the cover price because the book itself was a TREMEMDOUS DISAPOINTMENT. All I can say is Dr. Ruth is tremendously ignorant about Orthodox Judaism.

A great analysis of the relationship between sex and Judaism

This is a beautifully written and researched book. I would suggest it to anyone who is interested in Judaism, and especially its attitude toward sex. Dr. Ruth's main argument is that sex is a very integral part of Judaism. Although sometimes she seems to take that point too far, the book is nevertheless very interesting and educational. I especially loved the chapter on Sabbath. In a totally gorgeous language, the Jewish Sabbath is described as a great ceremony of seduction and sex. An enthusiastic two thumbs up!