Sacred Sperm

Sacred Sperm (Hebrew: זרע קודש) is a 2014 Israeli documentary film directed by Ori Gruder, exploring the taboo of masturbation in Judaism.

The Jewish prohibition against masturbation is codified in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Chapter 151:1), which states, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain.

[1] In Torah-observant circles, masturbation is forbidden, and sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex is restricted to married couples only.

[3][4] Gruder became a member of the Breslov Hasidic community at the age of 30, having previously led a secular Jewish lifestyle working in the television industry.

Gruder also explains the measures he takes as repentance for his past sins; including immersing himself in a mikveh full of ice cubes, fasting, charitable monetary donations and praying – while rolling in the snow at Mount Hermon during winter.