Touched
Sir: Mary Kenny, in her view of Thomas Szasz's Sex: Facts, Frauds and Follies (22 August) accepted as fact his assertion that Orthodox Jewish men have been traditionally brought up never to touch their Penis. This is quite untrue.
I was brought up in a strictly orthodox Jewish household and was extensively acquainted with boys in similar households, but never heard anything of the kind. What was enjoined on Jewish boys (and girls) was that we must always wash hands before a meal, and always without fail after urination or defecation. I am glad to note that this hygienic practice remains with us, however unorthodox we later become. I am constantly astonished to observe how many non-Jews omit to wash after using a lavatory.
I. A. Shapiro The Shakespeare Institute, The University of Birmingham
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