וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכַּ֤ב אֶת־זָכָר֙ מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י אִשָּׁ֔ה תּוֹעֵבָ֥ה עָשׂ֖וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם מ֥וֹת יוּמָ֖תוּ דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם

If a man lies with a male as one lies with a woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing; they shall be put to death—and they retain the bloodguilt.

Leviticus 20:13

Discussion Questions

1. Where could queer women be “hiding” in the passage?
2. How does accounting for queer women impact the meaning of the text?
3. What are the broader implications of this passage and its commentary?

Commentary

Zilpah Session (Shavuot 2022)

Fire

Where could Q women be hiding? The woman, queer women could be written in to the idea of the “bed” or bedroom of a woman. It does not mention women not lying together so by omission it may be “hiding” that they are there and allowed to be together.

How does the presence of Q women change meaning
It would take the focus off men. Maybe it shouldn’t be forbidden.

Broader implications
By not being hidden, Q women would be part of the story.

Air

What does it mean by “lie”

Water

Same question

Other things described as abhorrent — how do they relate
How will they be put to death — by people or G-d?
1. This does not mention women — it could be assumed it’s chill.
Is there even a way for men to “lie” with one another as males have different anatomy.
Agree

Earth

Ditto