Abstract
The ultra-orthodox Jewish (Haredi) community in Israel is characterized by strict observance of the requirements of orthodox Jewish life. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy within this community brings us into contact with guilt as a central emotion throughout the therapeutic process. The exposure to new concepts, ways of thought and a previously unknown space, together with increased awareness of internal wishes and drives, are experienced as forbidden areas that arouse an awakening of conscience and a sense of guilt. The author’s cases illustrate these conflicts.
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This paper describes material that is part of a larger research project entitled “Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy in the Ultra-Orthodox Community: Contradiction, Conflict or Possible Tension” (Hess, 2011b).
1Esther Hess, Ph.D., is affiliated with Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center, 15 Rav Povarsky Street, Bnei Brak 51544 Israel; Jerusalem College, P.O.B. 16078, Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem 91160, Israel; and ASA, Academic Institute of Society and the Arts (Lesley University – Israel Extension), 10 Haorazim St., Netanya 42379, Israel.
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Hess, E. The Centrality of Guilt: Working with Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Patients in Israel. Am J Psychoanal 74, 262–279 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1057/ajp.2014.23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/ajp.2014.23