Steven Greenberg (1) (1956–)

Intelligent and impassioned text from a rabbi who is committed to bridging the textually-induced chasm between gay and lesbian Jews and the Orthodox world. With lucid arguments and moving stories from his own journey from the closet to a loving partnership and membership in a welcoming synagogue, Rabbi Greenberg examines the Biblical and rabbinic references to same-sex relationships, picks apart the rationales that would condemn homosexual activity, and even produces a radical but convincing reinterpretation of the verses in Leviticus that have served as the source for so much repression and condemnation. It is with a little sadness that I return this to the library tomorrow -- but not too much, since I've already ordered it from Amazon!… (meer)

Religion and homosexuality are often placed at odds, and much of that, one could easily argue, is due to a few lines in the Tanach; in Judaism, this is reinforced by a variety of rabbinic laws as well, but cross-culturally, for many, that's probably the main deal. This book's author, an Orthodox rabbi, definitely has had a lot of time to think about it.

What resulted from that is a look first at Greenberg's life story, followed by a tour through the specifics of the Biblical and Talmudic literature that defines the prohibition in Judaism, with some surprising results. (Turns out, without intercourse, having a gay partner is less bad for you than disobeying niddah laws that rule out sex before or immediately after menstruation.) He then looks at various different stories of homosexuals within the Bible, the rabbinic period, and more recent reactions.

The later sections have to deal with different rationales for why the rule against penetration might have been enacted, and ultimately deciding that it was because all men were equal, and it was deemed shameful and debasing to be the bottom, thus leading to a prohibition aimed against shaming others. It's an interesting take, followed by a sample conversation between a rabbi and a young man working out his place in Orthodoxy with regards to his sexuality. This part is interestingly done, but the frame it's placed in is rather choppy.

Anyway, this is a book with a good goal, and it does have a lot of interesting information, even if the style does get off base at points. Still, it's quite readable, and it's a good overview of the subject. I'm not totally sold on the spin he gives, but it's an interesting step in opening dialogue, at the least. That's a commendable and necessary thing.… (meer)