What are traditional Jewish views on homosexuality?

Da Paolo Tessione - December 2, 2019

The various movements within Judaism differ in their view of homosexuality. Traditional Judaism regards homosexual acts as a violation of Jewish law (halakha). The most progressive movements of Judaism believe that homosexuality was not understood today when the Bible was written, so the biblical ban on homosexual acts must be adapted.

Biblical ban
According to the Bible, homosexual acts are "to'evah", an abomination.

In Leviticus 18:22, it is written: “And you must not live with a male as he cohabits with a woman; it's an abomination. "

And in Leviticus 20:13, it is written: “And if a man lives with a male as with a woman, both have done something abominable; they will be put to death; their blood will fall on them. "

The biblical ban on homosexual acts seems severe at first glance, but not all Orthodox Jews interpret these passages in a simple way.

Boteach
Rabbi Shmuel Boteach, president of the University of Oxford's Chaim Society and author, uses a broader perspective in his interpretation of these passages. Boteach developed a more humane interpretation of Do's mandate for heterosexual acts and the ban on homosexual acts.

According to Boteach, homosexual acts are wrong simply because the Torah says they are wrong and not because they are an aberration or disease. Sexuality as a whole is instinctive and both heterosexuality and homosexuality are natural, so why does God say that heterosexual love is holy and homosexual love is an abomination? Heterosexual love is the way the human race spreads. Do asks us to regulate our sexual activity in order to lead a happier life and fulfill our commitments with our communities.

The Torah is against homosexual acts, not homosexual people. Judaism and God love all people. Boteach reminds us that the Torah also calls eating non-kosher food 'to'evah', an abomination. The word "to'evah" in the Torah does not describe a social repulsion. Furthermore, the Torah condemns the homosexual act, not homosexual love or homosexual urge. “Judaism does not prohibit or in any way look down on homosexual love. In the eyes of Judaism, love between two men or two women can be as natural as love between a man and a woman. What it prohibits are homosexual relationships. "

Boteach recommends that the Jewish approach to homosexuality focus on the benefits of heterosexuality rather than on the repulsion of homosexuality. He also thinks that Jews with homosexual preferences should make a concerted effort to reorient their preferences and lead a life according to Jewish law (Halacha).

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson accepted the fact that some men and women have a sexual attraction inherent in the same sex. However, these men are not "gay" and women are not "lesbian". Rather, these are people with same-sex sexual preference. Furthermore, the Rebbe believed that this preference was the result of social conditioning and not a result of an irreversible physical condition.

Consequently, the Rebbe believed that those with homosexual preferences could and should be encouraged to try heterosexual relationships.

Traditional Judaism believes that even someone born with homosexual preferences may be able to find sexual fulfillment in a heterosexual marriage. And it is heterosexual marriage that benefits the community the most. Just as Judaism encourages a Jewish bachelor to marry, it encourages someone with homosexual preferences to try to redirect their sexual attraction and enter into a heterosexual relationship. Traditional Judaism on Homosexuality The various movements within Judaism differ in their view of homosexuality. Traditional Judaism regards homosexual acts as a violation of Jewish law (halakha). The most progressive movements of Judaism believe that homosexuality was not understood today when the Bible was written, so the biblical ban on homosexual acts must be adapted.

Biblical ban
According to the Bible, homosexual acts are "to'evah", an abomination.

In Leviticus 18:22, it is written: “And you must not live with a male as he cohabits with a woman; it's an abomination. "

And in Leviticus 20:13, it is written: “And if a man lives with a male as with a woman, both have done something abominable; they will be put to death; their blood will fall on them. "

The biblical ban on homosexual acts seems severe at first glance, but not all Orthodox Jews interpret these passages in a simple way.

Consequently, the Rebbe believed that those with homosexual preferences could and should be encouraged to try heterosexual relationships.

4 Nov 2008 More liberal branches of Judaism are allowing the ordination of gay and lesbian rabbis and allowing their rabbis and congregations to perform or host same-sex engagement ceremonies.

Conservative Judaism
Rabbis, synagogues and conservative institutions can perform or host same-sex engagement ceremonies and are free to openly hire gay rabbis and singers.
Conservative rabbis, synagogues and other institutions may continue not to allow commitment ceremonies and not to openly hire gay or lesbian rabbis and singers.
Reform of Judaism
Agreement and disagreement
Conservative Judaism
Rabbis, synagogues and conservative institutions can perform or host same-sex engagement ceremonies and are free to openly hire gay rabbis and singers.
Conservative rabbis, synagogues and other institutions may continue not to allow commitment ceremonies and not to openly hire gay or lesbian rabbis and singers.
Reform of Judaism
Agreement and disagreement
Reformed Judaism believes that homosexuality was not understood today when the Bible was written. Therefore, the biblical prohibition of homosexual acts can and must be adapted to adapt to today's world.