Judaism Depth Study – Sexual Ethics
Ethics = explicit philosophical and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs and practices
to clarify what is right and wrong and what human beings should do or avoid
doing…
From Prelim – foundations for Jewish ethics:
Source of all Jewish ethics is Torah:
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Responsa = rabbi’s responses to:
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halachah (commandments of the Torah)
o
Talmud (written version of oral Torah)
613 commandments – derived from Torah
Mezuzah – small cylinder containing a piece of parchment with verses of
Torah inscribed. This is placed on doorpost of homes – touched, kissed
as daily reminder that Torah guides all Jewish lives
Micah 6:8 – act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God
Isaiah 56:1 – keep justice, do righteousness
The sanctity of life = most important belief, in terms of life and death.
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God is the source of life – humans made in the image of god, therefore
sacred
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Life is sacred and should be preserved at all costs
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Every life has a purpose
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God alone decides when someone’s life should end
HSC Jewish Sexual Ethics:
Overview:
Forbidden - incest, bestiality, adultery (10 commandments)
Jewish view of sex – it is good, wholesome, loving, fulfilling – but is for
kiddushin – reserved for the sacredness of marriage
Sex within relationships –
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Procreation – to have children – be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28)
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Companionship – Exodus 21:10 – marital intimacy = one of three
things a husband must provide for his wife
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Sex within marriage = mitzvah – a commandment – treasured as
something that should be permanent, faithful and exclusive
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Jewish word for sex means “to know” – intimate, mind, heart, body….
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one flesh (Genesis 2:24) – a sacred element to sex, union of those
created in God’s image
Pre-marital sexual relationships:
Non-marital sex, because it is not within context of kiddushin is not
acceptable.
Not directly prohibited by Torah, but interpretations/rabbinical commentary
say it is not accepted as is not kiddushin.
Reform Judaism – interprets sexual relationships not just as within
marriage, but “within covenant” – any relationship that is based on
justice, truth, faithfulness
Abortion:
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When does life begin? (not an issue for Jews – life begins when foetus
is viable – can live safely outside of mother)
If foetus is seen as harming mother – threatening her life – is termed
“Rodef” the pursuer and must be killed/eliminated
Foetus is a “potential life”
Ultra orthodox – permitted for medical reasons only – mum’s life in
danger
Modern orthodox/conservative – permit also for psychological reasons,
and for rape/incest
Reform – also allow for economic reasons
Abortion is not generally accepted as a good thing, but is rather permitted
under certain circumstances (ie, never accepted for sex selection or as
form of birth control…)
Contraception/birth control:
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First commandment given in Torah is to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis)
– multiply interpreted to mean “more than one child”
Forbidden to “spill seed” – Genesis 38: 6-10
Orthodox and conservative –
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No condoms as this = spilling seed
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Contraceptive pill = okay
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Coitus interuptus (withdrawal method) – not allowed as = spilling seed
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IUD (intra-uterine device) = okay
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Male pill = okay
Reform = more liberal in their interpretation of what is allowable
As new forms of birth control are developed, new forms of response are
required as rabbis must interpret and apply the halachah to modern
times.
Masturbation:
Law against spilling seed pertains to this as well – masturbation expressly
forbidden (Talmud: - “the hand that reaches beneath the navel should
be chopped off”)
Female masturbation frowned upon, but not expressly forbidden as is not
mentioned in the Torah.
Reform Judaism = more liberal interpretation – leaves decision up to
individuals.
Homosexuality:
Leviticus 20:13 – forbidden for a man to lie with another man as with a
woman
Orthodox: - sticks to biblical interpretation
Conservative: “don’t ask, don’t tell” – if person asks for rabbi’s advice, is
bound to accept his ruling – therefore, if don’t ask, don’t need to hear
“no”
Reform: - more acceptable
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Leaders in reform communities can be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual
(glbt)
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Sex within homosexual relationship can be permitted provided
relationship is one of “covenant” – based on justice, truth and faithfulness
NOTE:
Above all – despite the different variants’ perspectives on practices related
to sexual ethics, it is the practice that is not acceptable – the person is never
condemned.
The person is always deemed to have been created in God’s image and is
therefore afforded dignity and respect.