NOTE: Please respect that in the Jewish tradition certain questions, especially certain questions relating to sexuality, are discussed only in private. Such questions will be closed or deleted at the discretion of the moderators or community.
6
votes
3answers
137 views
Misreading a k'suva
The k'suva text varies slightly depending on whether the bride is a virgin, independent of whether she has been married previously. (For one thing, the amount of money mentioned in it is different; ...
2
votes
2answers
296 views
Pleasure of woman at the end of relations (source in Chazal?)
I heard that it says in chazal the woman only has pleasure at the end ("gamar bia") of tashmish (relations). Is there any source/citation for this?
0
votes
0answers
131 views
Is male and female masturbation Biblically (“miDeoraita”) prohibited?
Is male and female masturbation Biblically ("miDeoraita") prohibited? If it is, where do we learn this from? Please provide sources. Thank you.
4
votes
1answer
120 views
Can a shul give an aliyah to an openly gay Jewish man when it gives aliyah to people who violate Shabbos?
In a Young Israel shul I've attended, the rabbi would not allow the gabbaim to give Jewish men an aliyah if there is reason to believe that the person is openly gay (and acts on his inclination), ...
1
vote
2answers
85 views
What Chasam Sofer writes in regards to a Kohen Gadol marrying a Basuleh
The Chasam Sofer in Toras Moshe Parsha Emor writes the following:
A cohen should marry a basuleh (virgin). The Ramabm counts this as a Mitzvas aseh (positive commandment). However one could have ...
1
vote
2answers
185 views
Does Judaism permit sexual relationships outside of marriage?
I am eager to know more about different religions from Islam to Judaism. Furthermore, how different religions look at women and comparing their kinds of approaches to the matter of gender and ...
7
votes
1answer
269 views
Viewing copulating animals
As a child at the zoo I was taught that one is not allowed to view animals while they are copulating. However as a pet owner I have learned that the exposed genitals of animals do not prohibit a ...
5
votes
2answers
184 views
Why is age 3 the age at which a girl is able to have intercourse?
In msh210's answer to this question of mine, he stated that:
women...who physically could be [intimate with men], which is those who had reached their third birthday.
In comments, he mentioned ...
8
votes
3answers
183 views
Why was there a distinction made for women captives?
In Numbers 31, God tells the Israelites to wipe out the Midianites (and incidentally, Balaam) by killing every male. But they spared certain women (v17-18):
Now therefore kill every male among the ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
Relations twice as segulah for boy — What about zugos?
I had asked what is the source for the segulah of having relations twice in order to have a boy. I first asked this in order to obtain a source to better ask this question.
The Gemorah says in Niddah ...
1
vote
2answers
68 views
Segulah for having a boy
I have heard before that a segulah for having a boy is to have relations with one's wife twice in one night. I remember hearing this in the name of Chazal. Does anyone know the makor for it?
6
votes
2answers
189 views
May a woman look at a man for pleasure?
It's ossur for a man to look at a woman for pleasure. Even to look at her small finger with the intention of having pleasure from it (See EH"E Siman 21 Sif 1.)
Is there any prohibition for a woman to ...
3
votes
2answers
111 views
Is there a Halacha that sons may not be present at the burial of their parents?
Is there a Halacha that sons may not be present at their parents' burial? I've heard that if the sons wasted seed (G-d forbid) negative forces are created which would be detrimental at the burial site ...
2
votes
2answers
115 views
Was Lot, himself, sodomized when he first moved into Sodom?
In Genesis 19, Lot defends the angels who came under his roof against the demands of the local men who want a chance to sodomize the three visitors. From the Torah's description, and Rashi's take on ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
Why is the son of אסנ״ת משגע״ח called a sinner?
The Bavli, N'darim 20:2, reads:
וברותי מכם המורדים והפושעים בי אמר רבי לוי אלו בני תשע מדות בני אסנ״ת משגע״ח בני אימה בני אנוסה בני שנואה בני נידוי בני תמורה בני מריבה בני שכרות בני גרושת הלב בני ...
3
votes
1answer
215 views
When are you allowed to touch your (newly married) wife?
At what point is a man allowed to touch a woman that he has just married. Can they touch after he has placed the ring on her finger and said "harei at..." before the 7 blessings are completed? Are ...
5
votes
2answers
291 views
Origin of myth about the hole in the sheet?
There is a widespread myth (as far as I know it is a myth) that orthodox Jews must have marital relations through a hole in a sheet. What is the origin of this myth and does it have any actual basis ...
4
votes
2answers
171 views
Yichud with someone who can't have an erection
If a man is in a physical situation where he is unable to have an erection will there still be an issur of yichud (the prohibition of being alone with someone that it is forbidden to have relations ...
1
vote
2answers
136 views
Urgency of resuming relations after niddah
What is the urgency of a husband and wife resuming relations after the niddah period? Where is the line drawn between conflicts that warrant pushing off relations, and those that do not warrant it? ...
3
votes
1answer
129 views
Mikvah and illness
Is there any reason to assume that a woman may or may not go to Mikvah when she has a non-life threatening illness that may be made worse by going (eg., flu, strep, ear infection)?
What if both she ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Looking for more information on the bridal virginity blessing
The blessing on bridal virginity is recorded in the Halakhot Gedolot but dismissed by the Rambam in Teshuvot Harambam, II:364-365, #207. What is the original source for this blessing? Do other ...
8
votes
1answer
191 views
Kissing and Hugging one's wife
What does it say about chibuk and nishuk (kissing and hugging) shelo b'shas tashmish (not during relations) with one's wife in Sifrei Halacha or Hashkafa?
Among madrichei chassanim (those that teach ...
0
votes
0answers
73 views
Looking at clothing of a woman
It says in Shulchan Aruch Evan HaEzer Siman 21 Sif 1 that it's ossur to look at the colored clothing of a woman that you know even if she is not wearing them, lest one come to "hirhurim" (to think ...
4
votes
1answer
133 views
Source for story about The Rabbi and the prostitute
I learned a great Gemara about a rabbi who visited a famous prostitute. But before he consummated the deal, his tallitot slapped him on the face, reminding him of his faith.
Where's the story? Any ...
8
votes
1answer
184 views
Religiously sensitive guidance on when to tell your child about human reproduction
A boy in cheder who has no internet at home, no tv, etc, is not exposed to human reproduction in the way that others are. It's therefore up to the parents to explain to him how children are born. ...
2
votes
0answers
123 views
Masturbation Invalidating Status as a Witness
Is a man who masturbates invalidated as a witness? The Gemara in Sanhedrin (26b) states that prohibited sexual relations do invalidate his status as a witness, but I could not find any literature on ...
0
votes
3answers
675 views
How, if at all, can “frum” Jewish men justify their consorting with prostitutes?
A friend of mine is a part-time magistrate in Sullivan County, New York. He often hears cases of hasidic men being caught with prostitutes. Moreover, he tells me that the cases of STDs among hasidim ...
8
votes
1answer
113 views
Why is giluey arayos one of the big 3?
I get why murder and idol worship are things you have to give your life up for. But why is giluy arayos - sexual sin so fundamental as to require a person to give up one's life? I'm looking for a ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Why is the period of Shovavim connected to tikkun habris?
Please see this question and answers for background information.
What is the reason that the period of Shovavim is used to address tikkun habris (sexual sins)? Why is this time period auspicious for ...
3
votes
2answers
141 views
Did Yitzchak not Fulfill the Mitzvah of “Be Fruitful and Multiply”?
According to the understanding of many commentators "pru u'revu" (be fruitful and multiply) is a positive commandment which is not fulfilled unless a man has both a son and daughter as offspring. ...
8
votes
2answers
225 views
Why should one have marital relations as if forced by a demon?
The gemarah (nedarim 20b) mentions that one of the reasons for having beautiful children is due to having relations "as if forced by a demon". Rashi there explains the term as either indicating that ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
Bracha on Dam Basulim
There is a bracha (blessing) made after the first time a Chosson and Kallah have relations in the case that she was a basuleh (when there was a complete bia.) The makor for this Bracha is the Rosh ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
Did Yishai sin?
Did Yishai sin? The gemarah (shabbat 55b) states pretty clearly that he did not; however, the midrash (Yalkut HaMakiri, cited here) seems to indicate that he separated from his wife for an extended ...
0
votes
2answers
323 views
Tashmish Ha-Mitah B'yom (Marital Relations by day.)
It says in Shulchan Aruch Siman 240 Sif 11 that it's prohibited to have marital relations by day unless the house is dark ("Bayis Afel".) The Rema adds that a Talmid Chacham that covers himself with ...
3
votes
2answers
109 views
How was Er considererd to be married to Tamar?
The gemarah (yevamos 34b) indicates that Er slept with Tamar sh'lo k'darka. If this is the case how was Er ever married to Tamar if the injunction of the pasuk וְדָבַק בְּאִשְׁתּוֹ (Bereshis 2:24) is ...
0
votes
1answer
168 views
Explanation in Rokeach in regard to kissing ones wife
The Rokeach in Hilchos Niddah (see here) discusses the results of certain events or actions by the parents prior to conception, affecting the build or personality of the child. One case he brings is:
...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
Onah and Sukkos?
Does the Mitzvah of sleeping in the Sukkah supersede the mitzvah of Onah? (one would think not, as it is a chov to someone else.) If not, is one supposed to fulfill mitzvas Onah and then retire to the ...
0
votes
2answers
110 views
Bal Keri and Learning
Many are stringent: if they become a bal keri (have a nocturnal emission) for any reason they don't learn or pray before going to the mikveh ("tevilas ezra"). However, even according to those that are ...
3
votes
0answers
111 views
Maimonides on Circumcision
These are not questions about circumcision. They are about what Maimonides said about the practice.
I would to know if the following things do, or do not, in fact represent things Maimonides said ...
4
votes
1answer
162 views
sperm donation and p'ru ur'vu
Does donating sperm to a woman who is not your wife (who then goes on to bear children from it) fulfill the mitzvah of p'ru ur'vu?
Alternatively, is it a violation of halakha? Does it matter whose ...
4
votes
4answers
554 views
What is the philosophy or logic for considering masturbation to be sinful?
There are a couple of questions, here and here, on this site mentioning masturbation. Both of them assume that masturbation is a sin and some of the answers cite specific texts backing that up. ...
3
votes
1answer
220 views
How did a virgin decide upon her marriage in Israel 2000 years ago?
About 2000 years ago in Israel, was a virgin free to choose her future husband (or even to decide whether to marry or not marry at all) or she was absolutely submitted to the will of her father?
4
votes
2answers
644 views
How do you quit a pornography habit?
Chabad rabbi Tzvi Freeman writes that all pornography is bad. If a man already has a habit of watching pornography, how do you quit?
5
votes
1answer
161 views
Are cholim obligated to please their wives?
To me it is clear that if (G-d forbid) a person is sick to the point that it will kill them, or that (G-d forbid) they will get their wife sick, there's obviously no obligation to please their wife ...
7
votes
1answer
391 views
Does casual sex establish a marriage?
Do premarital sexual relations effect Kiddushin (betrothal/first step of Jewish marriage) if there is no intention of getting married?
If so, is the physical act itself determinative of whether or ...
3
votes
1answer
393 views
Are marital relations on Friday nights a “double mitzvah”?
An uncle of mine once told me that a rabbi told him that having marital relations on Friday nights is a "double mitzvah," presumably because one would be fulfilling both the obligation to have ...
11
votes
11answers
1k views
How can I curb my sexual desire?
I am looking for the best and most practical suggestion as to what a man can do to curb his yetzer hara (evil inclination) for sexual desire. Please provide sources for why your answer should be ...
20
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the point of having a rapist marry the woman he raped?
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (JPS)
28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 then the man that lay ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Does the act of masturbation cause a change in one's spiritual/religious status vis-a-vis what he may and may not do?
Obviously masturbation is a very serious sin. However, if someone has already transgressed that sin, does his status change vis-a-vis things like learning Torah or davening? Does he need to go to a ...
7
votes
3answers
793 views
Do JONAH and similar organizations successfully help those with same-gender attractions?
Wikipedia's article on homosexuality and Judaism talks about Jewish organizations which aim to help people change. The article mentions JONAH, an organization which works on "prevention, ...
