Chief Rabbi says Sephardi gay love row is “divisive and damaging” to community

He said it was for the executive of the SPSC to “appropriately examine the broad range of issues which have arisen, while giving Rabbi Dweck the opportunity to address all matters directly and they must try to do this away from the glare of publicity which has already proved so harmful”.

He called on "all concerned to approach this issue with all due sensitivity and dignity, and to exercise responsible leadership in the best interests of the Jewish community.”

Rabbi Dweck was denounced a few weeks ago as “dangerous” by Rabbi Aaron Bassous, head of a Sephardi synagogue in Golders Green affiliated to the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations.

The debate over Rabbi Dweck has been fuelled by vitriolic attacks on him made by rabbis abroad which have been broadcast online.

One London rabbi critical of Rabbi Dweck’s has said that objections go beyond the lecture on homosexuality but cover other issues including his discussion of Jewish law and approach to Torah interpretation.

In a letter to members of the SPSC on Wednesday, Sabah Zubaida, lay head of the congregation, said "a great deal of the criticism has been based on misunderstandings, some deliberate, and some not. However, Rabbi Dweck accepts that some of the criticism is justified and needs to be addressed within the wider rabbinical world."

Rabbi Dweck said he would "step aside" from the Beth Din "whilst we resolve the matter".