Böcker av Seymour Hoffman

This interesting and informative book addresses fascinating issues that are not addressed elsewhere. Amongst the topics discussed include issues of guilt and how the ultra-orthodox world look upon the notion of being helped by a psychologist. Another issue that stands out is the place of creativity in psychotherapy. In this book, the mental health provider was extremely creative. In traditional psychotherapy schools, creativity is frowned on. I hope that psychotherapists working with ortho­dox and secular clients will be able to learn how to creatively facili­tate mental health in their clients.Professor Yaakov Hoffman, Dept Social and Health Sciences, Bar Ilan UniversityDr. Seymour Hoffman, a clinical psychologist with many years of expe­rience in treating patients from the general, dati and chareidi commu­nities, has again produced an impressive col­lec­tion of professional articles and essays that will interest and benefit both Halachic authorities as well as mental-health therapists. Dr. Hoffman should be applauded for his tireless efforts in making Halachic-psychological material accessible to the public.Rabbi Naftali Bar-Ilan, former communal rabbi in Rehovot, Israel, authored "Government and State in Israel According to the Torah" and numerous articles on psychotherapy and Jewish Law.The editor recently published, "Essays On the Interface of Psychotherapy, Psychology and Judaism", Golden Sky Books, 2021.

In the recent past, there has been a general resurgence of investigative interest in the myriad relationships between psychology and Judaism, and more specifically between the latter and psychotherapy that has greatly enhanced our understanding of the interface between them. This book contributes to that worthwhile goal. Between its covers, one can find a collection of articles by orthodox rabbis, educators, and mental health professionals, which discuss and explore a wide spectrum of relevant and topics of concern to professionals and laymen. Controversial issues, such as the attitude of rabbis towards psychotherapy, clerical-clinician cooperation, and Judaism''s view and attitude toward homosexuality are discussed in an open and forthright manner. It is expected that some readers may take exception to the views presented, which will, hopefully, enhance further deliberation on these topics. Throughout the book, rich clinical material is presented to guide the practitioner in treating the ultra-orthodox community; in depicting successful collaboration between rabbis and clinicians; and in enlightening the reader regarding the psychological wisdom and insights of the Jewish sages and religious leaders. Mental health professionals, religious leaders, and the general lay public who are interested in the interface between psychology, psychotherapy, and Judaism, will find this work informative, interesting, and stimulating.