Conservative Judaism eases gay rabbi ban in a confusing and frustrating approach

Conservative scholars ease gay rabbi ban
published Wednesday, December 6, 2006

The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, which interprets religious law for the movement, adopted three starkly conflicting policies that nonetheless gave gays the chance to serve as clergy.

One upholds the prohibition against gay rabbis. Another, billed as a compromise, permits gay ordination while continuing to ban male sodomy. The third upholds the ban on gay sexual relationships in Jewish law and mentions the option for gays to undergo therapy aimed at changing their sexual orientation.

That leaves seminaries and synagogues to decide on their own which approach to follow.

It will also test what Conservative Jewish leaders call their "big tent" -- allowing diverse practices by the movement's more than 1,000 rabbis and 750 North American synagogues.

Conservative leaders are struggling to hold the shrinking middle ground of American Judaism, losing members to both the liberal Reform and the traditional Orthodox branches.

Reform Jews, as well as the smaller Reconstructionist branch, allow gays to become rabbis; the Orthodox bar gays and women from ordination.

More:
http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/12/06/2

"If you want ten opinions about something, ask five rabbis."

therapy -- it works GREAT with shrinks too.

it was a natural to stick that in there.

which is why I avoid it like the plague.

do so, and let those who choose to ordain gays, and perform commitment cermonies for gays, do so. As I understand it, there were diametrically opposed proposals, each receiving 13 votes, and each only needed 6 votes to pass. So both passed. It's more democratic than our congress, where the fundies hold half the country hostage.

maintain the ban on male sodomy, but by allowing out-and-proud clergy as well as gay unions, it implicitly allows 'being gay' and gay relationships. Then there is the question of lesbianism, which is not addressed; since gay male sex is addressed and lesbian sex is not it seems to me it can fairly be assumed that lesbian sex is okay. I think they want to lift the ban but because it is an outright biblical proscription they can't quite figure out how to get there.

The issue is resolvable, I believe, by looking at the context of the biblical prohibition. Many believe it was intended to simply differentiate the Jews from the pagans, who engaged in bisexual orgies as part of a fertility ritual, as opposed to being intended to prohibit homosexual relations, standing alone. It was important at that time for Jewish identity to be formed around behaviors, and the prohibition is found in the section dealing with cultural differentiation as opposed to sections that dealt with moral rules. See http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/7608/levit.htm

Plus, "abomination" is being taken out of context by people who seem to think that it means it's one of the most serious moral depravaties. Here's a list of some of the many other "abominations" in the Bible, which include wearing wool-cotton blends, eating shrimp, trimming the hair around your temples, etc... http://www.gentleshepherdmcc.com/leviticus.htm

It's not black-and-white. The more progressive branches of Judaism have for a number of years let go of the literal translation of the Bible while maintaining a contemporary interpretation of and adherence to its moral components. But it's tougher for Conservative branch. I give them a lot of credit for struggling through this. It's a process and they have taken the first step. It gives me hope.

Why not just have each Conservative synaogue make the choice based on the makeup of their congregation? When my synagogue had a lesbian rabbi, no one minded - in fact, we threw a committment ceremony for her and her partner. The congregation my friend belongs to however, would not have accepted that.

How are gay-friendly Conservative synagogues different from Reconstructionist synagogues? Sorry if my quastion is too naive...

As far as gay equality is concerned, my sense is that the Reconstructionist movement is the most progressive of all within the Jewish world.