Discover Intimate Judaism, where a rabbi and therapist discuss intimacy, sexuality, and relationships in the context of Jewish family life and Torah observance. We raise conflicts and challenges and offer candid solutions while remaining firmly within the bounds of Torah and Halacha.

We are excited to launch this monthly podcast, where we discuss issues of intimacy, sexuality and relationships within the context of Torah and Halacha.

In this pilot episode, we mention several topics we plan to discuss, including power struggles over sex, the effects of taharat hamishpacha on sexual satisfaction, the effects of events in the life cycle on marital intimacy, problems of pornography and infidelity, and more. We hope to integrate these issues with Halachic and philosophical ideas that underlie a Jewish approach to sexuality.

The Mishnah (Chagigah 11b) famously prohibits discussing sexual matters in front of more than two people. A proper analysis of the Gemara which explains this Mishnah, as well as the Rambam’s psak on the topic (Hilchot Isurei Biah 22:17) – alongside other points mentioned in the podcast – demonstrates clearly that this prohibition does not apply to discussions like those we will have in Intimate Judaism. In fact, for numerous reasons, we believe that it is imperative that this discussion take place in a manner that makes it easily accessible.

Here’s a quick bio of the hosts of Intimate Judaism:

Talli Rosenbaum has decades of experience in the field of sexual health, and is a certified sex therapist and an individual and couple therapist. She is an internationally regarded expert in this field and has published and lectured extensively.  Talli serves as the academic advisor for Yahel: The Center for Jewish Intimacy, which trains community leaders in sexual guidance counseling. Her experience in sexual, marital, and individual therapy with clients across the religious spectrum gives her a unique perspective that makes her clients feel respected and at ease.

Rabbi Scott Kahn, formerly the Rosh Yeshivaof Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah, has educated and continues to inspire hundreds of students. Through his teaching there and in other yeshiva programs, via the many podcasts that he has produced that deal with the issues facing the Orthodox world, and from his extensive experience in teaching Chatan classes to young men, Rabbi Kahn has become expert and adept at addressing the issues that young men and women face both as singles and as married couples.