Homosexuality in Halakhah VII

The Jewish media are reporting that the decision by the (Conservative) Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards on homosexuality, postponed from earlier this year, is scheduled for next week (Jewish Week, Forward). While proposals range from advocating therapy to full acceptance of homosexual behavior, it is pretty much a given that the majority will vote for a lenient view. This will lead the way to JTS allowing active homosexuals into its rabbinic program.

In truth, I think the most surprising thing is that this is even an issue in the Conservative movement. I applaud those in the Conservative movement who are struggling to uphold at least this biblical law.

(Those who are comfortable reading the writings of Conservative scholars might be interested in reading Prof. Joel Roth's 1992 article on this subject: link [PDF])