Can you be jewish and gay

Traditionally, Judaism has seen homosexual male intercourse as contrary to Judaism, not homosexuality in-and-of-itself. This opinion is often still maintained by Orthodox Judaism. Nonetheless, the traditional Jewish position on homosexuality is still difficult for many liberal-minded Jews, and the liberal denominations have debated the extent to which gays and lesbians can be fully integrated into religious communities.

It tells us which desires we can embrace and elevate, which longings we can subdue and tame, and which we must reject or re-channel entirely. The Torah tells us unequivocally that the homosexual act is of that last category.

homosexuality in judaism

Homosexuality in Judaism reflects the dynamic interplay between ancient traditions and contemporary understandings. While traditional texts present clear prohibitions, modern Jewish thought offers a range of interpretations and practices that emphasize inclusion, compassion, and justice. Most Orthodox Jews maintain that the Bible forbids homosexual relationships and identities, and emphasize that only marriages that consist of a husband and wife are consistent with Jewish.

Two verses in Leviticus Leviticus and Leviticus express unequivocal condemnation of male homosexual sex although it is not clear whether what is referred to is intercourse or all sexual acts between men. As evident by its language, the biblical prohibition does not extend to female homosexual acts, though later commentators disapproved of lesbianism.

One rabbinic source associates female homosexuality with the activities of the Egyptians and Canaanites, from which the Jews are supposed to abstain. Other authorities describe lesbianism as lewd or promiscuous, but do not consider it a capital offense. The Leviticus verses also imply that it is the act of homosexual sex, not the homosexual person, that is abhorred.

With your help, My Jewish Learning can provide endless opportunities for learning, connection and discovery. Though the terminology seems callous, the same word is used in Deuteronomy in reference to forbidden animals. Interestingly, the medieval book Sefer HaHinuch compares homosexual sex to marrying a barren woman. Nonetheless, the traditional Jewish position on homosexuality is still difficult for many liberal-minded Jews, and the liberal denominations have debated the extent to which gays and lesbians can be fully integrated into religious communities.

The first and least controversial step taken by the Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform movements was to endorse civil equality for gays and lesbians. In it drafted a call to decriminalize homosexual sex and to end all discrimination based on sexual orientation. But how does one get around the apparently unambiguous biblical prohibition against homosexuality?

Many who seek to establish full religious rights for gays and lesbians employ the research that points to the involuntary nature of homosexuality. The halakhic legal term ahnoos refers to someone who, though commanded to do something, does not really have a choice in the matter. In Judaism, one is only responsible for religious obligations that one can freely choose to fulfill. Thus some Jewish authorities have argued that since homosexuality is not chosen, its expression cannot be forbidden.

Indeed, the Reform movement does not condemn homosexual sex, and openly gay people are eligible for admittance into Reform rabbinical schools. In addition, the Reform movement approves of rabbinic officiation at same-sex marriages and commitment ceremonies. Daniel Siegel, the Rabbinic Director of ALEPH : Alliance for Jewish Renewal, has endorsed same-sex marriage specifically because he believes that holiness should not be limited only to certain people and certain relationships.

Similarly, in Reconstructionist Judaism same-sex marriage is considered a religious value. Some rabbis within the Conservative movement also cite the concept of ones in which an individual has no real choice in permitting homosexual sex. The result of the vote is that rabbis, synagogues, and other Conservative institutions may choose to continue to not permit commitment ceremonies and not hire openly gay or lesbian rabbis and cantors, or may choose to do so.

Both positions are considered valid. The decision also paved the way for the movement to ordain openly gay rabbis.

In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of the presence of gays and lesbians in more traditional Jewish communities as well. Numerous organizations and support groups exist for gay Jews who are interested in maintaining a traditional Jewish lifestyle. Steven Greenberg, a gay Jewish educator who was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi, writes and lectures on the possibilities for gays and lesbians in the Orthodox community.

Finally, Trembling Before G-d , a critically acclaimed documentary about gay Orthodox Jews , has made a significant impact in raising consciousness about homosexuality in the Orthodox world. Another major development in the second decade of the 21st century has been growing acceptance of and support for transgender people, those who identify as a different gender than the one they were born into.

The Reform movement in issued a resolution expressing support for transgender rights, and months later the Conservative movement issued a similar one. In addition, many Jewish institutions — including summer camps — have begun taking steps to accommodate and welcome transgender Jews. By submitting I agree to the privacy policy. The organized effort to draw less observant Jews closer to Judaism is often traced to postwar America.