Questions tagged [sexuality]
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. Also note that, like Wikipedia, this site makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly rabbinic) advice. Treat information from this site like it came from a crowd of your friends.
262
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When can one have light in the room during marital relations?
According to tradition, relations should take place at night and in the dark. The Talmud forbids relations during the day or by the light of a lamp (Niddah 17).
Are there circumstances where having ...
2
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1answer
695 views
Is it permitted for a couple to have relations during the daytime?
Is it permitted for couples to have relations in the daytime if they are tired in the evenings?
8
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3answers
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What's the difference between wasting seed and having marital relations without the possibility of conception?
It is widely known that wasting seed is one of the big sins a person can commit.
However, it seems that having relations when conception is not possible--such as during menopause or during pregnancy-...
9
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1answer
621 views
In a mixed marriage, is a Jewish woman liable for kareit if they have relations while she's niddah?
I know that per torah, if a (Jewish) man has relations with a woman who is niddah he is punished with kareit. I have been told that in this case the woman is also punished with kareit.
Is the woman'...
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2answers
643 views
Can a couple have relations during dangerous times?
May a couple, living in Israel during a war or when Israel is under a constant barrage of rocket and other types of terrorist attacks, engage in marital relations? May a couple living outside of ...
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1answer
332 views
Is a couple who got divorced allowed to be together?
Are a couple who divorced from each other allowed back together intimately?
11
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2answers
547 views
Do the Nine Measures Apply to the Woman?
Nedarim 20b discusses nine mannerisms which a man should avoid whilst being intimate with his wife. The Talmud says that practicing these nine mannerisms can lead to having obstinate, rebellious ...
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1answer
229 views
Is this aphorism about gentiles as problematic as it seems? [closed]
I often hear among younger, apparently fromm men the aphorism "[gentile women]1 are for [sexual] practice". This has always struck me as bizarre, due to the importance of the reproductive act for its ...
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2answers
888 views
Relations on Shabbat
It is my understanding that restrictions and prohibitions on the Sabbath more accurately concern "creating" or "destroying" rather than the stereotypical concept of "working". Why is it then ...
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3answers
312 views
Issurei arayos worse than rape
Why does the Torah treat forbidden relationships, even when consensual, more seriously, from our perspective, than it treats rape?
11
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1answer
294 views
Is it halachically acceptable to discuss Torah concerning sexual conduct in a forum like Mi Yodeya?
The Mishna in Chagiga 2:1 rules:
אין דורשין בעריות בשלשה
One may not expound the laws of forbidden sexual relations before three people
The Gemara in Shabbat 33a writes:
א"ר חנן בר רבא הכל ...
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3answers
510 views
May a couple forgo relations out of convenience?
In my chassan classes I was taught that it is important to have relations on the night a wife returns tahor from the mikvah. I do not know the source of this idea. My question is: May the couple ...
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0answers
272 views
Male equivalent to yoatzot.org
Are there any Ask-a-Rabbi websites that are geared specifically towards questions regarding Taharas Hamishpachah (i.e. marriage, sexuality, and men's health), parallel to yoatzot.org, from which I ...
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2answers
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Is a wife allowed to stop going to the mikva?
If a wife no longer wants to have relations with her husband, is it allowed for her to stop going to the mikva, in order to prevent relations?
7
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2answers
283 views
Holiness in Intimacy
My understanding of one functionality of blessings is that they help one to take a moment and focus one's intent on the Creator and on one's higher purpose. This idea is especially poignant when one ...
7
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4answers
1k views
No Blessing on marital relations?
Yebamoth 61b discusses the positive commandment of being fruitful and multiplying. As far as I am aware, one makes no blessing before intercourse. why not?
Please cite sources!
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2answers
462 views
Looking for a definition of oneg Shabbos
Yeshaya 58:13 states that Shabbat is called oneg (delight). I have seen several different items described as oneg shabbos including taking a nap, marital relations, enjoying food at the shabbat meals ...
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1answer
390 views
The beautiful captive vs. self-pleasure
If a soldier is in battle and meets an attractive woman, there is a dispensation for him to have her. Opinions differ as to whether he can rape her or whether it must be consensual, and how many times ...
3
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2answers
813 views
How was Tevilas Ezra effective in limiting conjugal relations?
Many go to mikve (perform ritual immersion) every morning. One reason for this is voluntary continuation of a cancelled decree, Tevilas Ezra, meant to limit conjugal relations by requiring immersion ...
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3answers
715 views
How do I find answers to sensitive questions I can't ask my rabbi?
I have a halachic question of a sexual nature that I feel I can't ask my rabbi. Where can I get such questions answered? Are there rabbis knowledgeable in this area who are willing to answer ...
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2answers
685 views
Are sex change operations prohibited for non-Jews?
In very specific situations some halachic decisors have permitted sex change operations, such as for infants born with some types of genital anomalies. However, the consensus seems to be that they ...
3
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3answers
792 views
a girl who has been raped - mikvah
Could a Jewish teenager go to the mikvah if she is not married and has been raped?
If a girl has been raped is it acceptable for her to go the mikvah in order to cleanse herself or is this not ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Rape for a girl and is looking to get married
If a young Jewish girl was raped, what are the protocols for her getting married?
Is there anyone that she can't marry other than the Kohen or Kohen Gadol?
What are the halachot for these types of ...
9
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1answer
421 views
Why has Judaism traditionally discussed intimacy only privately?
To quote msh210's formulation of this site's rule on intimate topics:
Please respect that in the Jewish tradition certain questions, especially certain questions relating to sexuality, are ...
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1answer
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Clarifying the prohibition of Mishkav Zachar
Vayikra 18:22 teaches the prohibition of penetrating a man:
וְאֶת-זָכָר — לֹא תִשְׁכַּב, מִשְׁכְּבֵי אִשָּׁה: תּוֹעֵבָה, הִוא.
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is
...
9
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1answer
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Do the laws of Negiah depend on sexual orientation?
The Rambam writes (Hilchos Isurei Biah 21:1):
כל הבא על ערווה מן העריות דרך אברים, או שחיבק ונישק דרך תאווה ונהנה בקירוב בשר--הרי זה לוקה מן התורה
One who comes upon one of the Arayos via ...
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1answer
2k views
How is gender halachically determined?
I apologize if this is a sensitive topic, but it seems that this question is foundational to some of the discussions that appear here. I hope that my wording is appropriate.
If I understand correctly,...
7
votes
1answer
997 views
Sex-less Marriage
Do we allow an asexual man to marry an asexual woman with the understanding that there will be no conjugal relations?*
And while we're at it: Does a woman have to go to mikve if her husband is home, ...
4
votes
1answer
854 views
Dealing with an asexual wife
Inspired by this question
Many orthodox singles do not know about intimacy until right before the wedding. An asexual girl may of course choose not to get married, however, without prior experience ...
12
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4answers
1k views
Is an asexual person obligated in Pru Urvu?
Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by the lack of sexual attraction towards people in general. Asexuals may or may not be interested in romantic relationships, but are not physically ...
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1answer
835 views
How could two prostitutes come to Solomon if prostitution was prohibited by the Torah?
According to 1 Kings 3:16-28, two prostitutes came to Solomon for a judgment over their dispute.
Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him... Then the king answered and said, “Give ...
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2answers
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Resources for teaching chassan classes
I am looking for books that deal primarily with the halachos in Orach Chaim siman 240 and Even HaEzer siman 25. Due to the nature of the content it seems that the world has been reluctant to put out ...
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1answer
418 views
Allowing unmarried/homosexual couples into a hotel
Recently there has been a high profile case in the UK concerning a religious christian couple who own a hotel. Due to their personal religious beliefs their policy was to refuse a room to couples who ...
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2answers
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Must a bride represented as virgin bleed on sheets for marriage to be valid?
I had heard that from Orthodox practice that a lady upon first marriage is expected to be a virgin and is represented as such, and that the couple are placed in a room right after the wedding to ...
9
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0answers
611 views
To what extent is homosexuality forbidden among non-Jews?
All homosexual behavior is forbidden among Jews, but some actions are clearly Torah prohibitions (e.g. mishkav zachar), while some might be Rabbinic in nature (e.g. lesbian relations). Are all of ...
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1answer
3k views
When is there a heter to use a condom?
When, if ever, is there a heter for a married couple to use a condom as a form of birth control?
Question was inspired by this article
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2answers
393 views
Is laying with a woman during her separation worthy of death or just uncleanness?
In Leviticus 15:19 and 24 (JPS), we are told: “And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until ...
5
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1answer
327 views
What exactly was Adam's “rib” that was used to fashion Eve?
My question is out of the book of Genesis. The description of the "rib" being taken out
and used to fashion Eve. I was told the word rib in this content from a Rabbi that this
would also have the ...
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1answer
492 views
Why does the “Dorff teshuva” of the Conservative movement say that homosexual relations are a *rabbinic* prohibition?
In a teshuva issued by the Conservative Movement entitled Rituals and Documents of Marriage and Divorce for Same-Sex Couples by
Rabbis Elliot Dorff, Daniel Nevins and Avram Reisner, it is claimed in a ...
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3answers
2k views
Aside from the days set aside for impurity, what exactly is a man allowed to do with his wife in regards to intimacy?
A man cannot touch, stare, kiss or have relations with a woman he is not married with.
On the days when the laws of impurity do not apply, what exactly can a man do with his wife?
Assuming extra ...
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3answers
363 views
If staring at women is such a big aveira how come rabbis are permitted to give shiurim to women?
There are many great rabbis that I know who also give classes to women. Every where else I see that guarding your eyes is of crucial importance, but how are rabbis who look directly at women for long ...
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1answer
753 views
Is a man allowed to waste his seed for medical reasons?
Is a man allowed to waste his seed for medical reasons, for example if a couple is having difficulty conceiving and the fertility specialists are requesting a sample.
2
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1answer
1k views
specification of premarital sex
I read on this site that: "A born-Jewish woman who has had premarital relations may marry a kohen only if all of her partners were Jewish.". How is premarital relations described in Judaism for this ...
6
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1answer
278 views
Tshuva concerning sexual sins requires partner's exculpation?
If a person wants to do tshuva of the sexual sins committed, besides stopping the sin and asking G'd forgiveness, should the person also ask sorry to each woman that he had an inappropriate ...
3
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2answers
8k views
Shaving pubic hair before the mikveh
Many (I would assume most?) women shave most all parts of their body before going to the mikveh (arm pits, legs, many take care of the hairs on their face to look nicer or to remove them altogether.) ...
7
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1answer
716 views
Waiting after using the bathroom before having relations
Where is it brought down that one should wait after going to the bathroom and before having relations. I have heard this before and 2 reasons given. One is that because of the "ruach rah" in the ...
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5answers
2k views
Is private crossdressing authorized?
Is it permissible to wear women clothes in total privacy without anyone watching it. Not for sexual purpose but to release pressure?
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1answer
232 views
Under what circumstances is a false virgin put to death?
Deut 22:13–21 says that if a man marries a virgin, is intimate with her, and then claims that she is not a virgin, and there is no evidence that she is a virgin, that she is stoned. That seems to be ...
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2answers
731 views
How do we know that homosexual relations is a sin?
I recently heard that the Ibn Ezra brings down a minority opinion that the pasukim talking about "laying with a man as you would a woman" are actually talking about androgynous people. The Ibn Ezra ...
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3answers
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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; ...
