Gender & Sexuality

Shomer Negiah, the Prohibition on Touching

The term refers to someone who refrains from physical contact with members of the opposite sex.

Acceptance versus rejection of the laws governing monthly mikveh visits.

An act of will is required to turn our thoughts back to the sacred after a bodily event has focused our attention on the very physical here-and-now.

In the Middle Ages, a Jewish woman's social well-being was considered important, but her life was strictly guided by Jewish law.

Considering the role of gender in producing knowledge about Judaism.

Traditional Judaism can--and should--embrace feminism to allow for greater equality in Jewish religious life.

Jewish law forbids a number of sexual relationships beyond incest and adultery.

The Jewish tradition encourages procreation, but some forms of contraception are less problematic than others.

In Judaism, adultery is considered one of the most grievous sins.

Women's association with the new moon dates far back in history.

Why is birth nestled between dietary restrictions and skin diseases?

Assumptions in Leviticus 18 are in some cases abhorrent to contemporary sensibilities.