Judaism's Traditional Position on Homosexuality

 

Judaism's Traditional Position on Homosexuality

The Torah, specifically the book of Leviticus, expresses unequivocal condemnation of male homosexual sex. Leviticus 20:13 states: "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." The biblical prohibition does not extend to female homosexual acts, though later commentators disapproved of lesbianism.Traditionally, Judaism has seen homosexual male intercourse as contrary to Judaism, not homosexuality in-and-of-itself. The Leviticus verses imply that it is the act of homosexual sex, not the homosexual person, that is abhorred. The medieval book Sefer HaHinuch compares homosexual sex to marrying a barren woman, citing the lack of procreative potential as the reason for the abhorrent nature of the homosexual act.

Orthodox Judaism's Position

While a variety of views exist within the Orthodox Jewish community, Orthodox Judaism generally prohibits homosexual conduct. Male-male anal sex is put in the category of yehareg ve'al ya'avor, 'die rather than transgress', the small category of biblically-prohibited acts which an Orthodox Jew is obligated to die rather than do.However, there are growing signs of welcome in a few Orthodox spaces. In 2010, more than 150 Orthodox rabbis and educators signed a declaration calling for the welcoming of LGBTQ+ Jews in the Orthodox community. Organizations like Eshel support Orthodox LGBTQ+ individuals in their desire to live fully in their religious and cultural traditions.

Liberal Jewish Denominations' Positions

The liberal denominations, such as Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative Judaism, have debated the extent to which gays and lesbians can be fully integrated into religious communities.Reform Judaism is the most welcoming, ordaining LGBTQ+ rabbis and cantors and encouraging its communities to become fully inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals. The Union for Reform Judaism passed resolutions in 1977 affirming opposition to discrimination against homosexuals and calling for legislation to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults.Conservative Judaism's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has issued multiple opinions under its philosophy of pluralism; one opinion continues to follow the Orthodox position while another opinion substantially liberalizes the view of homosexual sex and relationships.In summary, while traditional Judaism condemns homosexual acts, liberal denominations have become increasingly welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ+ Jews, with Reform Judaism being the most affirming.