HSC - Judaism: Sexual Ethics

Question 1

Outline sexual ethics:

Answer 1

• Seeks to establish correct codes of sexual behaviour for jewish adherents.
• Come from sacred texts (Torah) and rabbinic literature to guide
• Sex is natural and holy, within the structural boundaries within the sacred texts and ethical teachings

Question 2

Teaching: Sex is Kiddushin

Answer 2

• Holiness has to be contained within the marriage
• The Ketubah contract in marriage states that the holiness must be shared within a married couple
  “They shall become one flesh” - Genesis
• Sex is a gift from God, to be enjoyed between them issue = Pre marital sex = forbidden
  -Orthodox = unethical “thou shall not commit adultery - 10
  -Conservative + Reform = understand contemporary life and the choice can be up to the individual

Question 3

Teaching: Go Forth and Multiply

Answer 3

• God created earth = intended each family to have children
• Seen as first mitzvot “be fruitful and multiply” - Genesis
• Having children maintains a covenantal relationship
  issue = contraception differs against strands as some encourage multiplying and others think it is permissible under the correct circumstances.
• Orthodox = restrictive as its not fulfilling the covenant tp have “descendants as many stars in the sky” - Genesis. allow it e.g. to space out children.
• Conservative + reform = allow it.

Question 4

Teaching: Covenant

Answer 4

• sex is to be confined within a relationship
• “he who lives without a wife, will live without joy” - Talmud
• Sex within marriage = maintaining the covenant
  issue = homosexuality
• Orthodox = unethical
• Conservative = not considered to be natural
• reform = increasingly acceptable dayenu = e.g. group offers counselling for jews dealing with sexual orientation