Book of the Pious

The Book of the Pious (Ba‘ale ha-nefesh) by Abraham ben David (Rabad) is one of the most influential halakhic compendia of the laws of impurity, ritual baths, and related matters. Abraham edited this Hebrew work multiple times, often in light of the critical comments of Zeraḥiah ha-Levi of Girona. Abraham likely revised this work throughout the 1180s. This excerpt is drawn from its final chapter, titled “The Chapter of Holiness,” and describes the proper mental intentions, or motivations, a man should have during sex with his wife. This is one of the first medieval Jewish discussions of conjugal relations. Scholars have suggested that Abraham’s analysis overlaps with contemporary Christian discussions, themselves indebted to Augustine.