Guide for the sex perplexed

An American-born rabbi, social worker and educator has written an illustrated sex guide for young ultra-Orthodox married couples, who, he says, are often woefully unprepared for the physical aspects of procreation.

Dr. David Ribner’s book, “The Newlywed’s Guide to Physical Intimacy,” co-written with Jennie Rosenfeld PhD, is strictly for those who are observant of Jewish law, and the illustrations, which are purposely not very graphic, are concealed in an envelope for those who do not wish to view them, according to a Sunday BBC report.

Ribner, who has counseled religious couples for decades and teaches at Bar-Ilan University, said such a guide book was long overdue because, since “sex is only appropriate within a marital context, it’s not talked about.”

Unlike other tomes such as Shmuley Boteach’s “Kosher Sex,” which explains Jewish ideas on sexuality for a general audience, Ribner’s book is very basic. But that is what is needed for young couples who, in Ribner’s words, “know nothing.”

“We wanted this to be acceptable to the widest possible population with the least risk of it being offensive,” he said.

Originally written in English, a Hebrew edition to the guide is due out within the month.