The Sacred Fire; The Story of Sex in Religion

New York: University Books, 1958. Second Edition. First edition from this publisher. Presumed first printing thus. Hardcover. Good/Good. 288 pages. Introduction by Dr. Charles Francis Potter. Illustrations. Bibliography. Index. Some page discoloration and edge soiling. Inscribed by the author on fep, To Sarah and Dick--Ben 3/15/59. DJ has some wear, tear and soiling. B. Z. Goldberg was a writer, journalist and columnist for more than 50 years for The Day Jewish Morning Journal, which was the largest "Yiddish language daily newspaper in the United States until it ended publication. Mr. Goldberg was a writer for several Jewish publications as well as correspondent. A native of Olshani, Russia, Mr. Goldberg was brought here as a boy in 1907. He received a Bachelor of, Science degree at Columbia University in 1918 and a master's degree in psychology a year later. While studying at Columbia, he joined with a group of students who knew Yiddish and who had organized to help newly arriving immigrants with language problems in the new country. He and the former Marie Rabinowitz, Sholom Aleichem's daughter, were married. Aleichem's real name was Solomon Rabinowitz. B. Z. Goldberg's legal name was Ben Zion Waife but it was as B. Z. Goldberg that he achieved journalistic prominence. Mr. Goldberg wrote on every phase of Jewish life and did numerous articles about his visits to the Soviet Union to study the situation of Soviet Jews. In his later years, he was writing for The Jewish Week, an English language paper, and other Yiddish publications. In 1964, Mr. Goldberg played a major role in the building of Beit Sholom Aleichem, a building in Israel that today houses more thin 300 manuscripts and memorabilia of Sholom Aleichem. There is a huge amount of academic 19th century literature relating to sacred sexuality. However, there are not many books which cover this subject matter for the general reader: this book is one of the few. Goldberg approaches the culturally sensitive issue of the intersection of religion and sex frankly and in some depth. Perhaps the best part of this book is the discussion of the evolution of the attitude towards sexuality in Christianity. Goldberg also describes a number of little-known curious cults such as the Russian Skopzi, the mediaeval flagellants, and others. Long out of print, but available used, this book serves as a useful introduction to the subject and sheds light on some little known corners of the subject of sacred sexuality." Table of Contents: Publisher's Preface; The Erotic Motive In Primitive Religion; Far Away And Long Ago; Primitive Man In Love And Faith; In The Foundry Of The Gods; The Spirit Of Love In God And Man; Love's Hidden Ways; In The Temple Of The Gods; A Day With Baal; A Night With Aphrodite; At A Dionysian Mystery; Twilight With Moloch; The Dance Of The Saktas; In The House Of The Lord; Prologue; Love In The Synagogue; Romance In The Church; Marriage In The Mosque; Longing In The Dark; The Spirit Of Revolt In Religion; Rebels In The Faith; Love The Force Of Rebellion; The Revolt Against Religion; The Revolt Against God; The Revolt Against Man, Epilogue. God's Way in Love.