Judaism and Homosexuality

By Mark Greenberg
KOACH East Coast Field Worker

Judaism and homosexuality are two terms that for many people create more controversy and headache than the BALCO steroid scandal and Major League Baseball. Both Jews and homosexuals have suffered long histories of discrimination and misunderstanding. In addition, just as the tenets of Judaism have been around since the time of our patriarch Abraham, so too did homosexual behavior exist long before the Torah was given at Mount Sinai.

In modern times, many religious denominations have begun to re-examine their doctrines regarding homosexuality, to see if their religions allow for gay members and/or gay leadership. The Roman Catholic Church reiterated its doctrine that homosexual community members cannot be priests, while in some communities the Episcopal Church recognizes openly gay clergy.

We in the Jewish community are also in a quandary on how involved gay community members can become – note that none of our denominations would actively exclude gay members…but that doesn’t mean that our synagogues are welcoming places either. The Reform Movement has decided to ordain openly homosexual rabbis; while the Rabbinic Council of America, the overseeing body on Jewish law for the Orthodox community, does not recognize openly homosexual rabbis.

As for the Conservative Movement, the “jury is still out.” The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, responsible for our Movement’s halakhic or legal practice, is actively engaged in studying the issue and we are told we will have an answer in December. While we wait, let’s remember that in Genesis chapter 1, verse 26, God says, “Let us make people in our image, after our likeness.” I believe it is fair to say that this passage teaches that since all human beings are created in God’s image, we should all treat each other with the same respect that we give to God. As we struggle to reach an understanding of homosexuality in our community, let us strive to see the Divine in everyone. And let’s strive to be especially careful to treat those whose beliefs and behaviors differ from ours, no matter which side of the issue, with respect and fairness.

[Posted 6/22/06]