Homosexual "Marriage" and Judaism

[AdriannaJean]

Hey Everyone,
Odd question, does anyone know what the modern teaching in Judaism is regarding gay “marriage”. I had always thought it was similar to Christianity’s, but then my friend showed me an article in Cosmo (great literature eh?) about 2 women who were “married” and one of them was Jewish and the service was preformed by a Rabbi. From what I know all the Christian doctrine regarding homosexual sex comes from the Old Testament which we share with the Jews. Anyone know any hard facts?

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Hey Everyone,
Odd question, does anyone know what the modern teaching in Judaism is regarding gay “marriage”. I had always thought it was similar to Christianity’s, but then my friend showed me an article in Cosmo (great literature eh?) about 2 women who were “married” and one of them was Jewish and the service was preformed by a Rabbi. From what I know all the Christian doctrine regarding homosexual sex comes from the Old Testament which we share with the Jews. Anyone know any hard facts?

I think the conservative Jews still regard it as a grave sin, but the reformed Jews accept gays and lesbians into the fold.

 

[Dale_M]

I think the conservative Jews still regard it as a grave sin, but the reformed Jews accept gays and lesbians into the fold.

No, the Rabbinical Assembly (the international association of Conservative rabbis), by a narrow vote, shifted its position in 2006. It still offers restrictions, but is much more accepting of gays and lesbians than in the past.

I’ll quote from the summary of the decision

a. A review of the biblical and rabbinic sources reveals that only one form of homosexual intimacy, anal intercourse between men, is explicitly forbidden by the Torah. Other forms of homosexual intimacy between men and between women have been prohibited by the authority of the Rabbis. Although some prominent rabbis such as Maimonides have maintained that the general prohibitions of homosexual intimacy have biblical authority, the arguments of Nachmanides are more convincing. The established halakhah has classified mishkav zakhur as assur d’oraita, while other sexual acts between men and between women are issurim d’rabbanan.

b. As our understanding of sexual orientation has evolved, so too has our sensitivity to the horrific effects of the halakhah’s comprehensive ban on the sexual behavior of Torah observant homosexuals. They have no legal options for sexual and social intimacy within the traditional parameters. This situation is degrading and even dangerous for them. Yet the halakhah also teaches its practitioners to be zealous in protecting human dignity. The principle gadol kvod habriot shedocheh lo ta’aseh shebaTorah (Brakhot 19b etc.) has been applied in the Talmud and Codes of Halakhah in order to supersede rabbinic prohibitions for the sake of human dignity. We believe that the halakhic status quo violates the dignity
of gay and lesbian Jews, and we propose the supersession of the rabbinic prohibitions on homosexual sex for the sake of human dignity.

c. Our practical rulings: Gay and lesbian Jews may form intimate relationships, with the Torah’s explicit prohibition of anal sex between men remaining in force. Bisexuals with primary sexual desires for someone of the opposite sex should seek to create a faithful heterosexual marriage with another Jew. Commitment ceremonies that avoid the legal mechanisms of kiddushin may be designed for gay and lesbian couples. There is to be no discrimination against gay and lesbian Jews. Should they exhibit the other criteria needed for ordination as clergy, they shall be qualified to serve as rabbis, cantors and Jewish educators.

rabbinicalassembly.org/docs/Dorff_paper.pdf

Full-text of the decision is at:
rabbinicalassembly.org/teshuvot/docs/20052010/dorff_nevins_reisner_dignity.pdf