Rabbi Linzer Published in The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion
October 20, 2025
Over the last 20 years, Rabbi Dov Linzer has done extensive work in the area of sexuality and halakha, and has brought this conversation – that bears on the well-being of so many individuals and couples — to the Orthodox community through teshuvot, podcasts, essays and lectures, with his trademark sensitivity, nuance and rigor. We are proud to announce that he has now been published in The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion. This Handbook, compiled and edited by Dr. Caleb Jacobson, features over forty contributors representing ten different countries and is the first book to combine clergy, religious scholars, and clinical professionals in the discussion of working with the intersection of sexual struggles and religion.
Rabbi Linzer was asked to write the opening chapter for the entire volume, entitled “Sex, Sexuality and Gender within Judaism,” as a way of introducing therapists from all backgrounds, Jewish and otherwise, to the values, attitudes and practices around sex and sexuality within the Jewish community and to provide insight as to how these might affect the patients or couples whom they are treating. It is his hope that through this deeper understanding, therapists will be able to provide their patients with the best possible care, with understanding and respect for the boundaries and practices to which their patients are committed.
To mark the publication of this book and of his opening chapter, Rabbi Linzer has written an essay based on his chapter for a more general audience entitled “Sex and Sexuality in Halakha and Jewish Thought.” Alongside the essay, he has collected related primary sources, with accompanying translations, for each of the sections.
We are happy to make the first part of the essay, “General Approaches and Life Before Marriage,” available now to the general public, with accompanying sources. This section focuses on two competing approaches towards sex and sexuality in Judaism in general, as well as the specific topics of masturbation and sexual thoughts (hirhurim); modest dress (tzniut); sex and sexual touch before and outside marriage (negiah); and seclusion in a private place (yichud). We look forward to making part 2, “Sex Within Marriage,” available in the near future.
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