Same-sex marriage and Judaism
Encyclopedia
Homosexuality and same-sex marriage in Judaism have been subjects of contention within modern Jewish denominations
, leading to debate and division. The prevalent view among Jews had been to regard homosexual
intercourse as sinful, arguing that it is categorically forbidden by the Torah
. This remains the current view of Orthodox Judaism
, but not of Reconstructionist Judaism
and Reform Judaism
. Conservative Judaism
's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
, which until December 2006 held the same position as Orthodoxy, recently issued multiple opinions under its philosophy of pluralism, with one opinion continuing to follow the Orthodox position and another opinion substantially liberalizing its view of homosexuals and homosexual relationships while continuing to regard certain sexual acts as prohibited.
In the Jewish state of Israel
in 2006, where there is widespread support for same-sex civil marriage, the Supreme Court
ordered the government to recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. The case was filed by five male Israeli couples married in Canada
. The ruling dealt with the registration of the marriage in Israel, noting that it does not refer to the validity of those marriage. However, same sex couples in Israel enjoy most of the rights of married couples, as unmarried opposite sex couples.
(formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations) supports the inclusion of same-sex unions within the definition of marriage. The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
leaves the choice to individual rabbis.
reject recognition of same-sex unions as marriages, but permit celebration of commitment ceremonies, in part as an expression their belief that scripture requires monogamy of all sexually active couples.
maintains the traditional Jewish bans on both sexual acts and marriage amongst members of the same sex. The Orthodox Union in the United States supported a federal Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. However, there are Orthodox Jews supporting gay inclusion, and some Orthodox Jews have adopted a gay lifestyle and support Gay Rights; a documentary called Trembling Before G-d
has been made about this. For example, Steven Greenberg
, an Orthodox ordained rabbi who after ordination adopted a gay lifestyle has spoken in favour of same-sex marriage, as a civil marriage; he is uncertain about religious same-sex marriage, but intends to study it.
is one of the few ancient religious texts that makes reference to same-sex marriage
. The following teaching can be found twice in the Midrash:
member Nitzan Horowitz
introduced a same-sex marriage bill.
A poll conducted in August 2009 found that 61% of Israelis supported same-sex civil marriage, with 31% opposed. Furthermore, 60% supported joint adoption by same-sex couples, with 34% opposed.
Jewish denominations
Jewish religious movements , sometimes called "denominations" or "branches", include different groups which have developed among Jews from ancient times and especially in the modern era among Ashkenazi Jews living in anglophone countries...
, leading to debate and division. The prevalent view among Jews had been to regard homosexual
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
intercourse as sinful, arguing that it is categorically forbidden by the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
. This remains the current view of Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
, but not of Reconstructionist Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern American-based Jewish movement based on the ideas of Mordecai Kaplan . The movement views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization. It originated as a branch of Conservative Judaism, before it splintered...
and Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
. Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards is the central authority on halakha within Conservative Judaism; it is one of the most active and widely known committees on the Conservative movement's Rabbinical Assembly. Within the movement it is known as the CJLS...
, which until December 2006 held the same position as Orthodoxy, recently issued multiple opinions under its philosophy of pluralism, with one opinion continuing to follow the Orthodox position and another opinion substantially liberalizing its view of homosexuals and homosexual relationships while continuing to regard certain sexual acts as prohibited.
In the Jewish state of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in 2006, where there is widespread support for same-sex civil marriage, the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Israel
The Supreme Court is at the head of the court system and highest judicial instance in Israel. The Supreme Court sits in Jerusalem.The area of its jurisdiction is all of Israel and the Israeli-occupied territories. A ruling of the Supreme Court is binding upon every court, other than the Supreme...
ordered the government to recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. The case was filed by five male Israeli couples married in Canada
Same-sex marriage in Canada
On July 20, 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world and the first country in the Americas to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide with the enactment of the Civil Marriage Act which provided a gender-neutral marriage definition...
. The ruling dealt with the registration of the marriage in Israel, noting that it does not refer to the validity of those marriage. However, same sex couples in Israel enjoy most of the rights of married couples, as unmarried opposite sex couples.
Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform JudaismUnion for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
(formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations) supports the inclusion of same-sex unions within the definition of marriage. The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Reconstructionist Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern American-based Jewish movement based on the ideas of Mordecai Kaplan . The movement views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization. It originated as a branch of Conservative Judaism, before it splintered...
leaves the choice to individual rabbis.
Conservative Judaism
Some Conservative JewsConservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
reject recognition of same-sex unions as marriages, but permit celebration of commitment ceremonies, in part as an expression their belief that scripture requires monogamy of all sexually active couples.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
maintains the traditional Jewish bans on both sexual acts and marriage amongst members of the same sex. The Orthodox Union in the United States supported a federal Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. However, there are Orthodox Jews supporting gay inclusion, and some Orthodox Jews have adopted a gay lifestyle and support Gay Rights; a documentary called Trembling Before G-d
Trembling Before G-d
Trembling Before G-d is an 2001 American documentary film about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews trying to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. It was directed by Sandi Simcha DuBowski, an American who wanted to compare orthodox attitudes to homosexuality with his own upbringing as a gay...
has been made about this. For example, Steven Greenberg
Steven Greenberg (rabbi)
Steven Greenberg is an American rabbi. He is generally described as the first openly gay Orthodox Jewish rabbi. His being an Orthodox rabbi is disputed by some Orthodox Jews since he publicly disclosed he was gay in an article in the Israeli newspaper Maariv in 1999 and participated in the 2001...
, an Orthodox ordained rabbi who after ordination adopted a gay lifestyle has spoken in favour of same-sex marriage, as a civil marriage; he is uncertain about religious same-sex marriage, but intends to study it.
Same-sex marriage in Midrash
The MidrashMidrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
is one of the few ancient religious texts that makes reference to same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. The following teaching can be found twice in the Midrash:
"Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Joseph, 'The generation of the Flood was not wiped out until they wrote marriage documents for the union of a man to a male or to an animal.'"
Israel
In February 2009 KnessetKnesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
member Nitzan Horowitz
Nitzan Horowitz
Nitzan Horowitz is an Israeli journalist and politician. He was the Foreign Affairs commentator and head of the International desk at News 10, the news division of Channel 10, before being elected to the Knesset on the New Movement-Meretz list in 2009....
introduced a same-sex marriage bill.
A poll conducted in August 2009 found that 61% of Israelis supported same-sex civil marriage, with 31% opposed. Furthermore, 60% supported joint adoption by same-sex couples, with 34% opposed.