Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
LGBTQ Issues and the diverse perspectives of Four Jewish Denominations
Along with the degradation continuum of Biblical values in the world, today I want to briefly provide an overview of come of the differences in perspective among four of the several Jewish denominations; Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and finally Messianic. This lesson is important to show those who think of Jews as a cohesive single-minded people, that this perception is severely flawed. But first, we need to define LGBTQ. The L stands for lesbians who are homosexual women. This term is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation. Gay is a term used to refer to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. Bisexual is a term used for those who are sexually attracted to either the male or female gender. Transgender refers to those who have adopted or changed their gender that differs from the sex given them at birth. Queer is an umbrella term for sexual gender minorities. This term is somewhat antiquated as it was traditionally used against those with same-sex desires or relationships in the 1800s.
How do four of the Jewish denominations perceive those who choose any of the above identities? Why is this important to us as Messianic Jews or those who may be called by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) out of mainstream secular society or apostate religions identified in the Bible as assemblies who follow pagan ways and traditions, particularly those contradicting G-d’s Laws? Let’s address the first question.
Reform: The Reform movement was the first Jewish denomination to take a liberal stance on the subject of homosexuality. They adopted the first of many resolutions on behalf of gays and lesbians in 1977. Gay marriage was endorsed by the rabbinate in 1996 and by the movement’s congregations in 1997. The Reform Jewish rabbinical school, Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion, accepted gay applicants in 1990. The movement’s rabbinic leaders officially considered heterosexual relationships “ the ideal human relationship for the perpetuation of species, covenantal fulfillment, and the preservation of the Jewish people.” But by the mid-1990s, the Reform movement had fully endorsed same-sex marriage, 20 years before it became legal in the United States. Now the Reform movement considers same-sex marriage to qualify as Kiddushin- the rabbinic term for betrothal, a holy union between two partners. As for transgendered people, the reform movement was the earliest to accept transgendered individuals, ordaining their first transgender rabbi in 2006. The movement’s new prayer book (2007) includes blessings to sanctify gender transitions. Full equality and inclusion for transgender persons was endorsed in 2015.
Conservative: In 2006 the Conservative movement endorsed two contradictory opinions. One upheld the movement’s previous rejection of gay relationships, and another retaining the Torah prohibition on male anal sex but allowing for other forms of sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The latter opinion also endorsed the ordination of gays and lesbians as rabbis and cantors. Both opinions are considered equally valid, and it is up to the individual rabbis as to which one their people are taught to follow.
In 2012, the same three Conservative rabbis who authored the liberal opinion on homosexuality published a series of rituals and documents pertaining to ceremonies for same-sex marriage and divorce. Their proposals do not include kiddushin; the holy union between two partners as does the reform movement. But other Conservative rabbis who maintain that gay marriage must enjoy the same status as traditional heterosexual unions, have insisted on applying the traditional marriage rituals with only minor modifications in gendered language.
Orthodox: For the most part Orthodox Jews continue to reject homosexual behavior as fundamentally inconsistent with Jewish law. However, there have been initiatives to make Orthodox assemblies and communities friendlier and more accommodating to gay Jews. In 2010 there was a statement signed by over 200 Orthodox rabbis welcoming gay Jews into synagogue life while it reiterated traditional Orthodox opposition to gay sex and same-sex marriage. There are currently a number of grassroot groups for LGBTQ Orthodox Jews including JOY and ESHEL. ESHEL’s mission is to create community and acceptance for LGBT Jews and their families in Orthodox communities. This group was founded in 2010 and it “trains its members to speak out and act as advocates for LGBT Orthodox people and their families.” Its members attempt to build “bridges into orthodox communities to foster understanding and support. Through community gatherings it helps LGBT Orthodox people to pursue meaningful lives that encompass seemingly disparate identities while also fulfilling jewish values around family education, culture, and spirituality.” Yet in the Orthodox community as a whole, sex reassignment, cross-dressing and hormonal treatments are still forbidden. The quandary for some Orthodox rabbis is how to hold to their interpretation of Jewish law and welcome transgender people. Orthodox seminaries still do not permit openly gay people to apply for admission.
Before we address the Messianic Jewish perspective on these issues, I want to provide a little information on how the LGBTQ community is treated in Israel.
Sadly, Israel is quite liberal when it comes to the LGBTQ community. Openly gay Israelis have been accepted into the military since the 1990s. This occurred 20 years before the U.S. formally allowed gays to serve. In a 2014 study, the Israeli Defense Force was rated the ninth most gay-friendly military in the world. However, this should come as no surprise as Tel Aviv is considered one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, celebrated for the highly attended annual Pride parade. Tel Aviv is also advertised as one of the most gay-friendly cities for travelers. Same- sex marriage is not allowed in Israel because the Orthodox dominated Chief Rabbinate retains full control over marriage. But same-sex couples who marry outside Israel can have their unions recognized by the state and enjoy many of the same benefits and privileges as straight couples. Israel even expanded the Law of Return to include interfaith gay couples ( Tal Kra-Oz, 2014). It is interesting that this provision and watering down of G-d’s Torah was made for this group of people, but that Messianic Judaism has been declared another religion by the Supreme Court of Israel in 1989, therefore rendering Messianic Jews ineligible to return to Israel and gain citizenship!
Messianic Judaism: Observant Messianic Jews are indeed a people set apart by G-d for His service (Lev. 20:26;Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 1 Pet. 2:9;John 15:19;2 Cor.6:14-18). The Torah, G-d’s Torah also known as the Sheba’al Tov versus the Oral Torah (Sheba’al Peh) which includes the traditions of men Sha’ul (Paul) speaks of in the B’rit Chadashah (Refreshed, Renewed Covenant) is very clear that true believers defined by YHVH/Yahshua himself in Romans 2-3, John 14; and the Seven-Fold Witness in the book of Revelation are not to participate in the traditions and laws of man that contradict His Commands and Laws.
Messianic Judaism was first taught to the disciples of Yahshua, mistakenly called Jesus. The disciples or talmidim in Hebrew were taught the “other half” if you will, the compassion that should be applied to the letter of G-d’s laws. Recall Yahshua often addressed the problems with executing the letter of the law without the spirit of the law when taking issue with the Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees who were always trying to trap Him or do Him harm ( John 5,8,10; Luke 20; Matt.16:1; Mark 12:18; Acts 4:1-2). It is significant in speaking about Yahshua teaching Messianic Judaism to his disciples that the Sadducees opposed the preaching of the apostles in Acts 4:1-2). This is because they were powerful and wealthy; they were connected with everything going on in the Temple in Jerusalem including holding the positions of chief priests and high priest. They also held the majority of the 70 seats of the ruling council called the Sanhedrin. They did not like the idea of this “rebel rabbi” contesting their obedience to Rome and essentially “sleeping with the enemy (Rome). They did not relate well to the common man. Sadducees were extremely self-sufficient to the point of denying G-d’s involvement in everyday life. They denied the resurrection of the dead (Matt. 22:23;Mark 12;18-27; Acts 23:8). Due to this belief the Sadducees strongly resisted the apostle’s preaching that Yahshua had risen from the dead. They denied the afterlife, holding that the soul perished at death, therefore denying any penalty or reward after the earthly life. They denied the existence of a spiritual world such as angels and demons (Acts 23:8).
Because the Sadducees were mainly a political party rather than religious, they were unconcerned with Yahshua until He posed a threat to bringing unwanted attention from Rome. At that point, they joined with the Pharisees and conspired to put Yahshua to death (John 11:48-50; Mark 14:53; 15:1).
The detailed on the Sadducees is presented to bring the reader’s attention to the fact that the liberal policies in Israel concerning the LGBT community are not based on the publicized motive of love and tolerance, and a mission to promote the love of G-d for His children and in some cases acceptance into Orthodox synagogue life by such organizations and JOY and Eshel. These liberal actions are motivated by greed which includes economic gain, teaching and practicing antinomianism against G-d’s laws and commands including assimilation into the masses of a secular world, and/or a fear of being ostracized for keeping G-d’s laws and commands without compromise.
Just as the Sadducees would not accept the teachings of the disciples regarding the person and purpose of Yahshua’s presence on earth or Yahshua’s consistent behavior that demonstrated the perfect balance between the letter and the spirit of the law without compromise, the aforementioned Jewish denominations fall into a pit when it comes to their policies and laws concerning the LGBT community across the board. The Reform, Conservative, and even the Orthodox Jewish denominations have accepted the Adversary into their synagogues and communities under the guise of love and tolerance; of staying up with the times; of negating G-d’s commands and rewriting G-d’s Torah to fit the rapid moral decline of civilization foretold by the Prophets and Yahshua Himself.
Messianic Jews hold to G-d’s laws and Word as they are written in His Torah (Instructions); not the Oral Torah where it conflicts with G-d’s Torah. Messianic Jews maintain that the Oral Torah was not given to Moshe at Mount Sinai because it is not mentioned in scripture and would have been impossible to have been given in total with the continual revisions based on daily situations that re mentioned in the Talmud and other Jewish halachic texts. Messianic Jews follow G-d’s commands and laws as Yahshua lived and taught such as the continued validity of the dietary laws; Shabbat on the seventh day and not whatever day someone chooses to make it. Messianic Jews do not celebrate pagan traditions such as Easter and Christmas for many reasons, one being these are pagan rituals and celebrations, and another being that these holidays are not even accurate. Yahshua was not born on Christmas day and Easter was not a celebration of Yahshua’s resurrection. Messianic Jews are taught that the greatest command of all is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-11 and that the next is that we love our neighbor as ourselves. This verse is misinterpreted by many clergy and individuals alike to fit their agenda. We must research this statement to discover the correct translation. It does not mean being tolerant and accepting of anyone’s lifestyle, no matter how severely it may deviate from G-d’s Word. This brings us to the commands specifically addressing the LGBTQ community.
Gen. 9:20-27 : “Ham, the father of Kena’an saw his father shamefully exposed, went out and told his two brothers.”
When translated correctly, this verse means that Ham had sexual relations with Noach who was passed out drunk. This is why Noach cursed Ham’s son, Canaan. This curse is borne out in biblical and secular history.
Gen. 19:4-5 : But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, “ Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them.”
In verse 10 of the above scripture, we read that the angels blinded these men and eventually destroyed the entire city of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Lev 18:22: You are not to go to bed with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination.
The above scripture is also translated as “ Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.”
Lev. 20:13: If a man goes to bed with a man as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they must be put to death; their blood is on them.
Although we do not advocate killing a homosexual individual in our society, this was done in Biblical times. Yahshua is our Judge, and He will judge anyone who practices homosexuality just as He says in the book of Revelation.
1 Cor. 6:9-10:Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the kingdom of G-d? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people- none of these will inherit the Kingdom of G-d.”
The way out of this is to repent and follow G-d’s laws from then on. “ Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with G-d by calling on the name of the L-rd Yahshua and by the Spirit of G-d” (1 Cor. 6:11).
1 Tim: 8:10: We know that the Torah is good, provided one uses it in the way the Torah itself intends. We are aware that the Torah is not for a person who is righteous, but for those who are heedless of Torah and rebellious, ungodly and sinful, wicked and worldly, for people who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral- both heterosexual and homosexual- slave dealers, liars, perjurers, and anyone who acts contrary to the sound teaching that accords with the Good news of the glorious and blessed G-d.”
This scripture is not to be interpreted that there are people who do not need G-d’s instructions. On the contrary, the Torah of G-d shows us our sinful state and how to reconcile ourselves to G-d through Yahshua by heartfelt repentance and subsequent lifestyle change both physically and spiritually.
I want to preface the next scripture by referring to who a righteous person is according to G-d’s Torah. Romans 1: 17 reads: “ For in it is revealed how G-d makes people righteous in his sight; from beginning to end is s through trust- as the Tanakh puts it, “ But the person who is righteous will live his life by trust.”
Trust is an action verb meaning to worship, to follow, to emulate. It is NOT a simple profession if faith.
I encourage the reader to carefully read and ponder Romans chapters 1 and 2 in their entirety, for these chapters specifically address those who choose to go their own way, superseding G-d’s Torah with their own version of how we should behave on this earth. Tolerance, non-genderism, and antinomianism are not options for living as G-d’s people. Inclusion is only found in the context of those Gentiles who choose to follow the commands of G-d and who are then grafted into the covenants of Israel described in Ezekiel chapter 37.
May this message reach those who need to hear it, and may they act on it while it is still day (John 9:4). May G-d use believers who have heard or read this message to share it for His glory. Amein
Rabbi Tamah-Davis-Hart