Sex: Jewish Positions

Sex and culture

Why do we have sex? For intimacy, pleasure, or just for making babies? Is sexual desire more than physical attraction? Do we have the right to sexual freedom? Throughout history, humanity has wrestled with questions like these.

In Jewish culture the meanings of sex are diverse, surprising and often contradictory. Judaism can be seen as ‘sex positive’ or sexually repressed, and everything in between. It all depends on the position you take.

Sex: Jewish Positions presents a range of perspectives on sex and sexuality – from religion and rite to art and popular culture. Come, watch and listen to the diverse points of view of medieval rabbis, contemporary artists, philosophers, sex therapists, Talmudic sages and Influencers.

And you?

And you? How do you feel about the questions they raise? A space has been created in the exhibition for visitors to reflect on the themes in the exhibition. Take the quiz and discover whether you are Daring or Devoted, let us know what your favorite position is, or create your own love poetry with words that are thousands of years old.

Sex: Jewish Positions is is on view from 22 November to 25 May 2025 at the Jewish Museum and was created in collaboration with the Jüdisches Museum Berlin.