Cave/Jews, 3. What is Jewish Morality?

Let me begin this discussion by quoting the law about masturbation in the Shulhan Arukh – the Code of Jewish Law – that we have already met: It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is more severe than any of the other prohibitions of the Torah. Those who masturbate and discharge semen in vain not only violate a severe prohibition, but also should be placed under a ban of ostracism. Concerning them [Isaiah 1.15] states: ‘your hands are full of blood,’ it is equivalent to murder. I wonder what you think of this. As a Reform Jew, I believe it is utterly extreme and totally irrelevant in modern society, yet the Orthodox are compelled to follow the Shulhan Arukh in its entirety.