I would like to start my post by saying that I really like the new idea that Mrs Perl showed us for when we have our class discussions. I think it is a great way to get everyone involved and comfortable enough to voice their opinion without feeling attacked. It does seem difficult because sometimes when you feel so strongly about something it's hard to be silent when someone else is arguing against you. However, I believe that we can this challenge. Even though we've only had like two class since it was introduced, there already seems to be an improvement. What do you guys think?
My next topic is a question. So, we learned in passuk 22 that a man cannot lie with another man in a way that a man lies with a woman. This makes perfect sense to me. However, I do have a question. What if two gay men are together but they don't lie with each other. They have feelings for each other and they date but nothing more than that. Do you think that is still prohibited? Do you think it is prohibited but the punishment is just less severe? Also, what about someone who likes men and women. Do you think that make it better or worse? Why?
So after reading one of Zahava's comments, I learned that one opinion states that the Torah does not prohibit the feeling of homosexuality but rather the action. Therefore, I think we can answer a few of your questions Shmex. Obviously the Torah cannot control our feelings. We can try as much as we want to control urges and feelings, whatever, but sometimes we cannot help the way we feel. Therefore I believe that the Torah focuses more on the action of people because that shows what they are really feeling. If people have the ability to control their actions then I believe that they will not be punished.
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