The disruptive forces of our times, the violent changes which have transformed society and wrenched it loose from its secure moorings and made impermanence and uncertainty the distinctiveР’В landmarks of our lives, have played havoc withР’В marriage-which ultimately is based upon trust andР’В permanence, upon certainty andР’В continuity. In his introduction, Rav Lamm makes it very clear why he believes that this book is necessary: The word he translated as РІР‚ВbodyРІР‚в„ў is BETEN, is best translated РІР‚ВbellyРІР‚в„ў, but could imply РІР‚ВwombРІР‚в„ў, and probably does in the quoted context. ThatРІР‚в„ўs the word used by our Sages to describe rabbinic decrees for protecting Torah observance.Р”В®ven Rabbi LammРІР‚в„ўs translation of the title verse is РІР‚Вprotecting usРІР‚в„ў, in this case, from the Hebrew original. The Hebrew word for РІР‚ВhedgeРІР‚в„ў in the verse is SOGAH, which gives us the famous Rabbinic term SIYAG, or fence. The biologist ( Rav Tendler) emphasized the product of the union, the pomegranate/child the philosopher ( Rav Lamm), the safety found in the tradition, the РІР‚ВhedgeРІР‚в„ў or РІР‚ВfenceРІР‚в„ў.

The body is a heap of wheat, hedged by roses (7:4) He also derived his title from Shir HaShirim : He had a profound impact on the discussions about the sexual revolution in America, when he published his seminal treatise on the subject, A Hedge of Roses, in 1966. He was one of those towering intellects who gave voice to the aspirations of Modern Orthodox Jews in America, first as the founding editor of Tradition Magazine, then as rabbi of the Jewish Center in Manhattan and, after 1975, as President and, later, Chancellor of YU. Rabbi TendlerРІР‚в„ўs book was my first foray into this world of Family Purity, however there was another major influence on this scene, and his name was Rabbi Dr.

ItРІР‚в„ўs ironic that people became BTРІР‚в„ўs for both radical and reactionary reasons. The Lubavitcher Rebbe was quoted as saying that there couldnРІР‚в„ўt be a BaРІР‚в„ўal Teshuva Movement without the HippiesРІР‚в„ў Movement. WeРІР‚в„ўve already discussed in these posts how the breaking of social norms in the 60РІР‚в„ўs made it easier to be different. ThatРІР‚в„ўs the Orthodox response to РІР‚Вif it feels good, it canРІР‚в„ўt be wrongРІР‚в„ў. Only the convictionР’В thatР’В there is a better way of lifeР’В initiatesР’В the discontent preliminary to constructive actions. The gratifications of the moment became the goal. In all societies in all times there were РІР‚Вdrop-outsРІР‚в„ў whose conclusion that society is sick with incurable social and ethical ills convinced them that ambition was senseless, strivings andР’В yearningsР’В were but vain dreams.

Why did Rav Tendler write this guide? HereРІР‚в„ўs what he wrote in his introduction: Rabbi Moshe Tendler chose that phrase, Pardes Rimonim, for his РІР‚Вmanual for the Jewish familyРІР‚в„ў first published in 1970, and is still available in its third edition. That is Torah Sexuality 101: The bride remains chaste (or locked away) until marriage, and then produces numerous offspring. ItРІР‚в„ўs based on the dubious botanical assertion that pomegranates have 613 seeds, just as a Jew has 613 mitzvot. The metaphor of RIMONIM representing a new Jewish soul is very famous. The bride is chaste, protected and prepared to produce fruit. This word-picture has become the image of Jewish sexuality.

Pardes rimonim