Judaism and Sexuality

New Possibilities in Jewish Sexuality

Judaism may need new categories of sexual relationships in order to adjust to the reality of sex outside marriage.

Tradition and Compassion

Some traditional Jewish authorities condemn homosexuality, while advocating compassion for individual gays and lesbians.

Female Homosexuality in Judaism

The Torah does not address lesbianism, but later rabbinic commentators frowned upon it.

Traditional Sources on Sex Outside Marriage

While the Torah does not forbid premarital sex, the rabbis of the talmudic era prohibited it--but one modern authority proposed a sanctioned form of exclusive sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Jews and Premarital Sex

The Torah doesn't explicitly outlaw sex before marriage, but it doesn't approve of it either.

Judaism and Sexuality

Jewish tradition looks favorably on sex and sexuality, given certain conditions.

The Purpose and Meaning of Sex in Judaism

Judaism approves of sex and sexual pleasure, valuing it as a means toward procreation and companionship.

Sex Outside Marriage: Modern Rabbinic Views

A selection of statements from rabbis of various denominations.