AboutRabbi Ari Shishler Expertise As a campus rabbi, who teaches both religious and non-religious Jewish teens every day, I'm ready and waiting for your questions.
Experience I spent six years as the head of the Chabad House Young Adults' Division in Johannesburg, South Africa, before moving to learning director.
I am the campus rabbi at the Witwatersrand University and University of Johannesburg and was the campus rabbi at Boston City Campus in Johannesburg for six years.
I have worked closely with the South African Union of Jewish students since 1997.
For the past eight years, I have been a guest lecturer at the Johannesburg "Encounter" program for King David High Schools. I have also spent two years as guest rabbi at the "Encounter" program in Cape Town.
King David High Schools, Yeshivah College and Crawford High Schools invite me regularly to speak to various classes.
Since 1996, I have been teaching Talmud at a local religious high school.
Organizations Chabad-Lubavitch
South African Rabbinical Association
Publications Jewish Tradition, South Africa. Jewish Report, weekly newspaper, South Africa SAUJS annual Holiday guide.
Education/Credentials After completing high scool, I spent six years studying in Rabbinical seminaries in South Africa, Israel and New York.
Question In the bible i have read that God takes people who has a speciific attitude
towards people who have lost their fathers....i lost my father when i was
about 13...and i was just wondering if there are any Jewish scholars or
theorists or anyone who thinks they might know why God feels this way? I'd
love it if i was like, special in God's eyes.
Also, this is probably the most frequently asked question, but what is the
Jewish view on sex and masturbation? Am i allowed to have sex with girls i
really like? Am i allowed to...(this is rather embarassing) touch myself? I most
certainly won;t have sex with a man, or rape someone or commit
adultery.....but what is allowed?
Thank you for your time.
Peter McKeand.
Answer Hi Peter
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your father at such a young age, it must be quite difficult for you.
We believe that G-d always compensates for what He takes away. The Bible says that if an orphan calls out to G-d, He will always listen to their prayers immediately. He is the Father of us all, but especially those who have no physical father of their own.
Regarding the second part of your query- we believe that the sexual relationship between a guy and girl is very special- and even spiritual. When people get involved sexually without the commitment of marriage, we understand that this is spiritually unhealthy (besides the fact that it makes future relationships more difficult too).
So, the short answer is- no. Judaism doesn't allow premarital sex nor does it allow masturbation. Jewish mysticism even says that this sort of behavior creates negative energy around the people who do it.
I guess, you could say that we believe "good things come to those who wait".
