Within every major religion, discrepancies in opinion can be found from one sect to another. Dorff and David Novak, as Jews, are no exception to this concept. Both subscribe to the teachings of the Torah, yet find themselves on different ground when considering homosexuality's place within the Jewish community, and whether or not it should be regarded as ethical. .
Homosexuality and the Torah.
There appears to be only one similarity between the two authors. Both Novak and Dorff agree that homosexuality does not fit the traditional Jewish outline of procreation sexuality. The two authors disagree, however, on the degree to which they consider the Torah's statements to be concrete. .
Dorff breaks down the views of homosexuality within the Jewish community by outlining what each sect has adopted as their interpretation of the Torah. He argues mainly in favor of the Conservative sect and for gay rights, but does not deny the fact that the Torah refers to homosexuality as being prohibited. He admits that it is referred to as an "abomination" in Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13. .
Novak states that homosexuality is considered to be "counterfamilial and, also, counterproductive" within Judaism. Novak also refers to the passage in Leviticus, but adds that an aggadic text refers to homosexuality as a "fundamental human error." .
Does homosexuality have a place in modern Jewish practice?.
Novak and Dorff have more contrasting views than similar views. One main contrast is lies in their opinion of whether homosexuality should be accepted by modern Jewish practice. The Conservative sect that Dorff subscribes to understands that many verses of the Torah no longer apply in their "straightforward meaning". In 1991, the Synagogue of Conservative Judaism issued a resolution to the controversial subject of homosexuality's place in Judaism. Based on their rational, they concluded the following: " while affirming our tradition's prescription for heterosexuality,.
