עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is there a prohibition in the Torah against being a lesbian?
Question
I apologize in advance for the bizarre question (the Jewish people who are distant from the commandments constantly challenge me anew). Is it true that there is no prohibition in the Torah against the act of women lying together? If so, please provide me with a source. Thank you very much!!
Answer
Hello,
The matter is absolutely forbidden, and the source of the prohibition is what is written in the book of Vayikra (Leviticus 18:3) "Like the practices of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled, you shall not do." -As the Rambam writes (Hilchot Issurei Biah 21:8), women who lie with each other are forbidden, and it is from the practice of Egypt that we were warned, as it is said, "Like the practices of the land of Egypt you shall not do." The sages said, what did they do? A man marries a man, and a woman marries a woman, and a woman married to two men.
Thus writes the Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer (Siman 20, Seif 2), women who lie together (i.e., engage in playful and intimate physical contact) are forbidden, and it is from the practice of Egypt that we were warned against.
Best regards,
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
