A scholarly article based on the results of a survey of 380 observant women to determine the relationship between the observance of family purity laws and sexual satisfaction in intimate marital life, taking into consideration religious observance and background, as well as current marital status.  The analysis highlights the need to encourage healthy sexual attitudes and communication skills in the observant Jewish community. At the time of the research, it was found that observant Jewish women who have serious religious questions about sexual matters currently do not turn to religious personnel (rabbis or kallah teachers) for advice or counsel.  The research concludes that yoatsot halakha, women religious teachers/advisors  in taharat haMishpahah could have a positive impact on observant women in the area of marital sexual life.

A Lifetime Companion to the Laws of Jewish Family Life by Deena R. Zimmerman presents the laws of niddah in a comprehensive and serious manner, enabling one to learn the halakhot from the original sources. The companion is well structured and written in a clear and empathetic style. It discusses practical medical issues typically not discussed in popular manuals. While the book is a great contribution to the field of family purity laws (hilkhot niddah)—specifically to the genre of theoretical books teaching the basic issues involved with keeping these laws.  According to the reviewer, however, “it suffers from the tendency, seen in many other such manuals, to direct the reader to a rabbi rather than resolving issues directly.”

This article is based on a study of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) couples who experienced a delay for more than several weeks in consummating a marriage.  It examines traditional Jewish sources on marital sexuality, defines the problem of unconsummated marriages, discusses issues pertinent to evaluation, and suggests appropriate treatment strategies.

Excerpted from remarks made by Dr. Eliezer Schnall at a presentation delivered at the Orthodox Union in November 2009

An analysis of a survey of 3,760 respondents from around the world, done in conjunction with Aleinu Family Resource Center, the Rabbinical Council of California.  This article offers a popular, rather than an academic angle on the question of marital satisfaction.  According to this study, seven out of ten Orthodox couples surveyed would marry their spouse if they had a chance to do it all over again.  It concludes that, even with the rising divorce rate within the Orthodox community, the overall message about marriage is positive.

 Steven Weil, in response to a study of Orthodox Jewish marriages published in Jewish Action, http://www.ou.org/index.php/jewish_action/article/69713/, identifies six stressors: marital intimacy, differences in religious observance, financial pressure, intrusive in-laws, communication, and quality vs. quantity time.  He also offers various tips on how to handle these challenges.