Heschel

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

: A system or code of moral behaviour by which human actions are judged to be good, bad, right or wrong
• Descriptive ethics: describes expected behaviour in a particular situation
• Normative ethics: the principle that underlines a particular choice of action
• Significance: Ethical system should be evidenced in the morality of followers
 Each religion tries to have an effect on the lives of its adherents.
 Religious life at its best should be evidence not only in specifically religious practices, (eg: devotional ritual) but also in the day-to-day behaviour of its followers

Question 2

Core Ethical Teachings

Answer 2

The Commandments of the Torah The Prophetic Vision The Book of Proverbs

Question 3

Teachings

Answer 3

• Kiddushin: is considered the ideal stage to engage in sexual relations.
• Sex is a mitzvah
• Hallakah: Gift from God
• Created in the image of God
• Each person is of infinite value
• Modesty

Question 4

Kiddushin

Answer 4

 sex is a mitzvah, Companionship + love  yod-dalet-ayin

• Premarital sex

Question 5

Procreation 

Answer 5

• Birth control/contraception

Question 6

Niddah (law of separation)  modesty, mikveh bath

Answer 6

• Modesty

* Premarital sex

Question 7

Halacha  gift from God

Answer 7

• homosexuality

Question 8

Sources of Ethical Teachings • Tanakh:

Answer 8

contains the torah
 Contains the Torah
 Teaching: go forth and multiply
 Genesis 1:28 “be fruitful”
 Sex is kiddushin (holiness) and has to be contained within marriage
 Genesis 2:24
 Sex is a gift from god to be enjoyed in marriage

Question 9

Sources of Ethical Teachings •• Talmud:

Answer 9

 Sex in marriage = family unit
 strengthens covenantal relationship
 Yebamoth 636

Question 10

Issues • Pre-marital sex + Adultery

Answer 10

 traditionally forbidden – sex only between a man and woman in marriage
 “becoming one flesh” Genesis 2:24
 family = very important to maintain Jewish tradition
 When performed promiscuously, sex before marriage can destroy and cheapen sexuality and undermine self-respect
 A child born from such a relationship is not considered to be legitimate
 Whenever the Torah speaks of a sexual relationship, it talks of “knowing” someone – to have sex you have to know the person – therefore casual sex is not permitted.
 Sex must be private and within the bounds of marriage
 Having sex is one of the three stages of marriage – betrothal, contract and consummation! (yichud)
 marriage + sex considered ‘kiddushin’
 strengthens, binds and fulfils God’s wants
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Question 11

Issues • Pre-marital sex + Adultery  Orthodox:

Answer 11

sacred texts emphasised  “thou shalt not commit adultery” (10 commandments)
 really unethical
 indulge in a sexual relationship which is prohibited

Question 12

• Contraception

Answer 12

 Contraception, including artificial contraception, is permitted in Judaism in appropriate circumstances.
 The religious view on birth control is based on 2 principles: It is a commandment to marry and have children and it is forbidden to ‘spill the seed’ (to emit semen while at the same time preventing conception)
 Contraception contradicts/seems at odds with the instruction to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28)
 Onanism = Spilling of the seed is not allowed (God killed Onan for masturbating and spilling the seed)
 The female birth control is favoured by Jewish couples because male birth control methods are frowned on because they waste the seed. Non-mechanical methods are the most acceptable. I.e.: the pill, spermicides
 Condoms are unacceptable as they interfere with the natural purpose of intercourse
 Any contraceptive method employed by the man (coitus interruptus, condom, abstinence) is prohibited. Traditional Jewish law also prohibits the sterilisation of a male (e.g., vasectomy) based on the biblical verse:
 “No one whose testes are crushed or whose member is cut off shall be admitted into the congregation of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 23:2)

Question 13

• Contraception Orthodox: more restrictive. Permits use:

Answer 13

 When pregnancy or childbirth may harm the child
 To limit number of children in family for the benefit of the whole family
 To delay or space out having children
 A married couple may not use contraception just to not have children together
 Birth control methods that lead to breakthrough bleeding would be a concern as sex is not permitted in the presence of blood
 In respect to the AIDS crisis, condoms are not an issue as sex was only permitted within a monogamous marriage