http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22152700
I recently found this article, which talks about the difficulties encountered when trying to discuss the subject of sex in Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish society. Though sex is regarded positively by Judaism, it has become taboo to discuss it openly. Ultra-Orthodox boys and girls are educated separately, most often at special religious schools, where they receive little or no sex education. Physical touch with the opposite sex - even something like a handshake - is only permitted with one's spouse and close family members. Access to films and the internet is often restricted. Then on their wedding night, after spending their entire lives having minimal interaction with members of the opposite sex, these young men and women are expected to consummate their union.
Dr. David Ribner, a Jewish sex therapist and counselor living in Jerusalem, noticed an issue here. "Sex is only appropriate within a marital context," he says. "Beyond that it's not talked about. Because of that, it's become very difficult for people to have any kind of dialogue about it."
To help solve this problem, Ribner has written and published The Newlywed's Guide to Physical Intimacy, sex manual for Orthodox Jews. The book was released last year in English, and is about to be published in Hebrew. It uses simple diagrams (kept in a sealed envelope in the back) and direct language to speak openly about sexuality to its Jewish audience.
Those interviewed in the article predict the book "will meet tremendous negative reaction - at least within the most extreme elements of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community." However, they all agree that The Newlywed's Guide is long overdue, and will be very beneficial to their community as a whole.
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