When Therapy and Jewish Law Collide: The Religious Jewish Therapist and the Commandment to Rebuke

Abstract

The paper deals with the inter-cultural encounter between Jewish Law [Halacha] and the therapeutic professions. It enquiries if and how practitioners who seek to be true to both the Jewish and professional codes of ethics, can bridge between the two worlds, in regards to the mitzvah of rebuke in therapy. For this purpose, the article opens with a dichotomist display of values; presents the different backgrounds of the therapeutic professions and of the Halacha; constructs strategic milestones for conflict reduction; and finally reveals a more sophisticated inter-cultural meeting that recognizes similarity, enables professional-Jewish refinements, and leaves with renewed and more advanced questions. In addition, the article provides practical tools for coping with the issue. The article aims to contribute to the training of religious practitioners and especially social workers, and their integration in public services serving the wide spectrum of Israeli populations. As most intercultural encounters, this paper may challenge and question the obvious and well-known.