Walter Jacob
QUESTION:“In our community there is a small group of‘gay’ Jews who have gathered together to form a havurah.(Some of them are members of my congregation). The havurah meets on a regular basis and holds a monthly shabbat service. Occasionally members of the havurah attend regular services at the temple or join us for special programs. We have attempted to be as open to them as possible. Recently a few non-Jews have been attracted to the havurah. Several of them have indicated an interest in Jewish life, and one individual in particular has approached me in regard to the possibility of studying in order to convert to Judaism . In light of the strong antipathy of Judaism to homosexuality, should we accept a known and active homosexual who desires to convert to Judaism ?(Rabbi R. Safran, Ft. Wayne, IN)
ANSWER: The attitude of traditional Judaism to homosexuality is clear. The biblical prohibition against homosexuality is absolute as seen in the verses:“Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman: it is an abhorrence”(Lev. 18.22);“if a man lies with a male as one lies with a woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing; they shall be put to death—their blood-guilt is upon them”(Lev. 20.13). Other statements are equally clear The Talmudic discussion of the matter makes no substantive changes and continues the prohibition. It deals with the question of rumors, duress, and various forms of the homosexual act(San. 53a ff: Yeb. 83b; Ker. 2a ff; Ned. 51a, etc.). In the subsequent codes, the matter is briefly mentioned with the same conclusions(Yad Hil. Issurei Biah 1.5, 22.2; Tur and Shulhan Arukh Even Haezer 24). There
is very little material in the responsa literature which deals with
homosexuality, as it does not seem to have been a major problem The commentators to the above mentioned section of the Shulhan Arukh felt that suspicion of homosexuality could not arise in their