The second temple was an important era for the development of Judaism. It saw the building of the temple in Jerusalem, which housed the Ark of the Covenant and was considered the center of Jewish worship. During this time, Jews began to develop strict rules about sexual behavior that were intended to preserve the purity of both individuals and the community. These rules are still followed today, though they have been modified slightly to reflect modern values.
One taboo from the second temple is that intercourse between a man and his wife during her menstrual cycle is forbidden. This rule is based on Leviticus 18:19, which states that it is "unclean" for a husband to lie with his wife while she is unclean due to her monthly flow. The Talmud interprets this verse as meaning that intercourse during the woman's period is prohibited because it can lead to miscarriage or other health problems for the mother and child. In modern times, most rabbis agree that this taboo should be respected, but some disagree.
Another sexual taboo from the second temple is that a man may not touch his genitals in public. This law is based on Deuteronomy 23:14, which says that a man who masturbates in public must be cut off from his people. Some rabbis interpret this verse to mean that even private masturbation is forbidden, but others argue that it only applies to public displays of self-pleasure. In contemporary times, most rabbis allow masturbation, but do not condone it. They believe it is a waste of sperm, which could be used to create children, and that it is a form of selfishness.
The third sexual taboo from the second temple concerns incest. According to Leviticus 18:6-17, incestuous relationships are considered abominations before God. These include relationships between siblings, parents and children, half-siblings, and stepparents and stepchildren. In modern times, many Jewish communities have relaxed these rules, allowing marriages between cousins and other close relatives.
Some still follow the original laws strictly.
The fourth and final sexual taboo from the second temple is bestiality. This is prohibited by Leviticus 18:23, which states that "a man shall not lie with any animal." The Talmud interprets this as meaning that intercourse with animals is strictly forbidden, while some rabbis argue that it only applies to non-kosher animals. In contemporary times, most rabbis agree that bestiality is a perversion and should be avoided.
These four sexual taboos from the second temple continue to shape contemporary religious practice. Their interpretations may change over time, but they remain important guidelines for Jews who wish to uphold traditional values.
Which Second Temple sexual taboos continue to shape contemporary religious practice, and how have their interpretations changed over time?
Religious practitioners often abide by Second Temple sexual taboos that regulate behavior through guilt and shame rather than positive reinforcement. These include prohibitions on premarital sex, homosexuality, adultery, and incest. The interpretation of these taboos has evolved over time as different cultures and subcultures have adopted them for various reasons.