Abstract

The ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Israel is highly homogeneous and is virtually isolated from the surrounding secular society. Nevertheless, in recent years some openness to psychotherapy has emerged. In this paper the first author, herself a member of the ultra-orthodox community and a psychotherapist, presents a series of analyses and discussions of the major issues raised by therapy amongst members of this community. This study had two main objectives: a) a qualitative assessment of possible conflicts between the subjects strong religious convictions and the essence of psychotherapy; some conflicts were indeed detected which were followed by individual modes of reconciliation, b) an attempt to discover whether the psychotherapy had an impact on the level of observance of the Jewish commandments and customs; some indications for a lessening of such observance were found. This study, being the first of its kind, could provide a basis for studying the effects of psychotherapy on subjects belonging to isolated communities.

Highlights

  • The ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Israel is highly homogeneous and is virtually isolated from the surrounding secular society

  • The ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Israel is probably familiar to only a few readers

  • Ultra-orthodox Jews have an unwavering belief in God

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Summary

Introduction

The ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Israel is highly homogeneous and is virtually isolated from the surrounding secular society. Continuing and extensive study of the Torah (the oral and the written law) is a supreme value and is regarded as the primary source of knowledge Life in this community is based on observance of the Jewish religious commandments and customs. The writer of this article is herself a member of this community and faces a serious dilemma: on the one hand, she is expected to adhere to their absolute, unbending rules and norms of behavior and on the other hand, her professional status as a psychotherapist allows her a certain amount of distance and neutrality in her observations This combination creates a unique personal and professional perspective for her research on her patients’ experiences in psychotherapy.

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