Thou Shalt Not Covet: Sexual Misconduct in the Rabbinate

Abstract

ABSTRACT The problem of sexual misconduct by clergy has received recent attention by the Jewish community. In this paper, the author compares various competing explanations for clergy sexual misconduct from the vantage point of personality theory; suggests interventions appropriate to clergy that are consistent with these theories, with specific reference to rabbis; compares current efforts made by Jewish and Catholic ordaining institutions to discuss issues of sexual misconduct with their students prior to ordination; and draws policy inferences as they relate to the organizational structures within the religious community.