The Magic Touch : A Candid Look at the Jewish Approach to Relationships [Paperback]

Gila Manolson (Author), Gila Manolson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1992 | ISBN-10: 158330102X | ISBN-13: 978-1583301029

There's more to touching than most of us realize. In this frank, eye-opening book, an experienced teacher from the Discovery Seminar offers the thought-provoking Jewish perspective on this subject. Entertaining and enlightening, this work clarifies one of the least understood areas of Jewish law.

Product Details

• Paperback: 86 pages
• Publisher: Targum (1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158330102X
• ISBN-13: 978-1583301029
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,022,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want the best for your daughter?, January 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magic Touch : A Candid Look at the Jewish Approach to Relationships (Paperback)

This is a practical and sensitive book, and easy to read in a few hours.

As a father of five unmarried daughters, I am buying a copy for each of them. While the book approaches the topic of touching between the unmarried couples from an Orthodox Jewish perspective, the book is after all about shomer negiah. The basic principle is real and true, whether you view life from a religious perspective or a secular viewpoint. And the basic principle is this -- whether you are Jewish, secular, or Christian -- that men and women who are not relatives should be extremely cautious about expressing affection for one another through touch. This is not prudishness, it is solid practical advice that goes to heart of the human nature.

Our current secular culture, of course, has led most of us to buy into a different approach which even justifies couples living together before marriage, or dating practices that lay the foundation for irresponsible no-fault behavior, particularly on the part of men, which then can lead to no-fault divorces and much pain for both men and women. This book approaches the issue head on by showing that an ancient approach to a current obsession has much wisdom for us today. Actually, I am not doing justice to the book. The author does a fantastic job in every respect, with much humor and plenty of real life examples. The author is also the mother of seven children, a Yale graduate, and an Orthodox Jew living in Jerusalem.

Granted, by today's standards, the author is being very radical. But today's standards have failed for all pratical purposes. I keep using the word "practical" because, in my opinion, the author is very down to earth, and everything that is printed on the book cover, "funny, entertaining and enlightening," is verified in the reading.

One last thing. Men should read this book in particular because there is so much about the female nature that we are totally uninformed about. If you have daughters, you can't go wrong with this book, because you naturally want to know how to educate your daughter for the best, and for success. She may think you are crazy and old fashioned, but, as a woman, she will not be able to resist the truth that this book contains. At least that's the hope I have for my daughters.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book of "why!", February 20, 2000

By 

Aaron Freeman (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Touch : A Candid Look at the Jewish Approach to Relationships (Paperback)

I loved this book. I read it in an afternoon (A Shabbas afternoon) There are no recitations of laws, no dogma, no dire warnings about the harm non-observance does to the Jewish people. Just a thoughtful, literate and very readable listing and description of the benefits of negiah and stories of people who've struggled with it. Did I mention that I love this book?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic - Brings to light the whole matter of Shomer Negia, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magic Touch : A Candid Look at the Jewish Approach to Relationships (Paperback)

This book really explains the value of being Shomer negiah (not touching) in relationships. The author shows how the Torah understands the problems of being hurt in relationships and provides us with practical solutions to avoid such pain. This book is suitable for everyone,but especially observant Jews who have maybe stopped just short of being Shomer Negiah.