Halachot and Customs
Is lesbianism prohibited by Torah law or rabbinic law?
Question
To the honorable rabbi, hello and blessings,
I want to know and understand how serious this matter is:
Is an act between two women prohibited by Torah law or by rabbinic law?
And are thoughts about such an act also a prohibition in their own right?
And one more question:
Is there a prohibition against going to such a wedding of two women? What is the source?
Answer
Hello and blessings
This is what the Rambam wrote
Rambam, Hilkhot Issurei Bi'ah, chapter 21
Halachah 8
Women who rub against one another are prohibited, and this is part of the practice of Egypt about which we were warned, as it is stated: You shall not do as the practice of the land of Egypt. The Sages said: What would they do? A man marries a man, and a woman marries a woman, and a woman is married to two men. Even though this act is prohibited, one does not receive lashes for it, since it does not have a specific negative commandment, and in any case there is no act of intercourse at all. Therefore, women are not disqualified for priesthood because of licentiousness, nor is a woman prohibited to her husband on this account, since there is no licentiousness here. It is proper to administer disciplinary lashes, since they have committed a prohibition. A man should be concerned for his wife regarding this matter, and he should prevent women known for this from entering with her or from her going out to them.
Thoughts about a prohibited act of forbidden relations are prohibited.
It is certainly prohibited to go to such a wedding, since that assists transgressors.
With blessings,
Benjamin Shmueli
