(51) Love in War: Strengthening Security and Connection Amidst Trauma and Threat
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
Release Date: 10/21/2023
(63) Having “The Talk”: How Should Jewish Parents Talk to Kids About Sex?
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
How do we talk to our kids about sex in a way that’s honest, healthy, and grounded in Jewish values? In this episode of Intimate Judaism, Talli and Scott speak with Yonina Rubinstein to explore how parents can approach conversations about sexuality with sensitivity, clarity, and confidence. We discuss practical strategies for different ages and stages, the importance of modeling a positive attitude toward intimacy, and how halacha (Jewish law) and tradition can serve as a guide—not a barrier—to raising sexually healthy children. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just thinking...
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Tzniut: Modesty, Female Masturbation, and the Media (CLASSIC EPISODE)
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
Orthodox girls and women are traditionally taught to dress modestly in order to avoid attracting the male gaze and to keep men from sinful thoughts or behaviors. These messages, according to Rabbanit Oriya Mevorach, an educator and doctoral student of Gender and Philosophy, objectify and sexualize women and girls, and are actually influenced by Western society’s sexuality discourse. Moreover, the effect of these messages present men as sexual beings while female sexuality is ignored. Rabbanit Mevorach, who studies sexuality and culture, presents an alternate approach to teaching modesty to...
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(62) Love on the spectrum: Navigating intimacy with a neurodivergent spouse
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
If you are on the autism spectrum, or know or suspect your spouse may be, intimacy and communication may present challenges. In this episode, Talli and Rabbi Scott speak with Tzippora Price, an expert on neurodivergent couples, to learn more. They identify some of the behaviors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as some challenges that may occur when one spouse is neurodivergent (and whether these problems can likely be avoided if both spouses have ASD). They also address problems unique to Orthodox Jews on the spectrum, how these issues affect a couple’s sex life, and...
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(61) Did I Marry the Wrong Person?
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
In this episode, Talli Rosenbaum and Rabbi Scott Kahn blend Jewish wisdom with modern psychology to explore marital doubt, intimacy challenges, and when to stay or go. Tune in for practical insights on transforming even the most challenging relationships.
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(60) "Happy Wife, Happy Life"?
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
Many contemporary how-to guides to Jewish marriage in the Orthodox world encourage husbands to shoulder full responsibility for their wives’ happiness at the expense of their own. In the yeshiva world this is known as “being mevater.” Though teaching young men to be unconditionally kind and respectful to their wives sounds progressive, Rabbi Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum discuss the potential problems with this approach.
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(59) Will I Marry the Wrong Person?
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
Choosing a marriage partner is one of the most important decisions one makes in life. Yet the process of dating, building a relationship and deciding to marry requires time and good relational skills. Listen as Rabbi Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum discuss dating and getting engaged.
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(58) Why not a Threesome, Sex in the Dark, Hating Nidah Laws and More: An Intimate Judaism Q&A
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
In our latest Q&A episode, Talli and Scott address some of the many questions submitted by listeners regarding Judaism and intimacy. Among the issues they discuss are repairing sexuality after 15 years of “doing it wrong,” consensual threesomes, sex therapy versus couples therapy, when a wife wants sex more than her husband, tubal ligation, looking at porn to get in the mood, and much more. To watch Talli's webinar on Relationship Renewal, Commitment, & Forgiveness in Elul, . Visit for the full podcast archive, shownotes, a free men's mikvah checklist, and more.
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(57) Hugging with a shinui: Halachic leniency in times of distress
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
According to Rav Yoni Rosensweig, founder of Maagalei Nefesh, an organization that confronts issues pertaining to mental health and halacha, “Jewish law is not meant to cause harm.” War, mental health concerns, and emotional and relational distress are factors that contribute to the need to seek leniencies in halachic practice in a way that reduces, rather than increases, potential harm. Listen to the premiere episode of Season 7 of Intimate Judaism as Rabbi Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum discuss mental health, intimacy and Halacha with our guest, Rav Yoni Rosensweig.
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(56) Inviting Single Religious Women to the Sexuality Conversation
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
The discourse on marital intimacy and sexuality in Judaism has become a normative topic of conversation. Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg, an educator and spiritual advisor at Migdal Oz, a Midrasha of higher learning for young women in Gush Etzion, believes that conversations about desire, sex and sexuality are relevant for unmarried women as well, and not just as part of premarital education after they have become engaged. In this episode, we discuss the importance of normalizing and addressing issues of sexuality for single women.
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(55) Loving Again After Loss: Dating and Remarriage After Widowhood
Intimate Judaism: A Jewish Approach to Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships
Losing one’s spouse is one of life’s most difficult and painful experiences. The process of grieving includes feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and isolation. While grieving the loss of a spouse, one also mourns the loss of identity as a member of an intimate partnership and acceptance of a new identity as a widow/er. Well-intentioned friends and family members may urge those who have lost a spouse to “move on,” while others may pass judgment when they begin to date or find a new partner. We are grateful to Marc Tobin and Jodi Wachspress, both of whom lost their partners to cancer,...
info_outlineAs Jews in Israel and worldwide absorb the realities of the horrors of threat, murder and violation, it seems surreal to think or talk about intimacy. Yet, in the face of threat, the safety and security of a committed partnership can be a comforting resource. And in the confrontation with death, people sometimes seek the vitality and life affirming energy that sexual relations provide.
Join Rabbi Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum for a discussion on intimacy, sex and peace in the home during war. Spoiler- it’s all normal.