Jewish Thought

Rabbinic Authorities Flex Muscles in Response to “Gay Orthodox Wedding”

Comments (8)
  1. Richard says:

    If you would like to see my reply to the Orthodox Rabbi’s “Gay Marriage Doctrine, please go to my blog. http://richdweck.blogspot.com . I am a Gay Orthodox Syrian Jew. I have a lot to say ;). Please click to follow it as I am adding new articles and thoughts daily! Thank you!

  2. Moses Lapin says:

    Is there a Jewish identity away from Halacha (I mean that in the full definition of the term, “an outcome of kedusha, fusing an otherworldly, perfect and divine Torah with the comprises and “flaws” of a physical reality”)?
    Away from the schismatic feuds between the various political-religious parties — they are all equally guilty of politicizing Torah for power and profit — both extreme positions represent a counter Torah undercurrent, either by contradicting the Torah itself or by ignoring the realities the Torah is placed in (this is what the terms “Dibrah Torah keLashon Benay Adam”, the Torah talks in the language of humanity; “Kol Darcheha Darchei Noam”, all her ways are those of pleasantness; and the very foundation of the ability for our Rabbis of blessed memory to institute and define halacha — interestingly Chazal is always referred to in the past tense “Chachmanu Zichronom Livracha”)
    The real problem with what Rabbi Greenberg is doing, is that he is undermining a fundamental paradigm of Torah in the realm of interpersonal relationships, namely sexuality, and thereby unabashedly distorting the Torah. To think that homosexuality, even without a Lo Taseh, is in line with Torah is a fallacy, and this is the very definition of a Bitul Asseh (nullification of a positive mode of expression). When the Torah says to do something, that something is the symbol of a deeper principle (in this case sexuality and the aseh of Peru Urevu) and is a tool for developing our sensitivities to that principle. To not do so, either passively or actively deciding to do something that undermines that Aseh, is both ignoring the potential for development as well as a direct abandonment of Torah.
    I have such respect and admiration for his courage and empathy in helping people, but am repulsed by his complete abandonment of Torah life — and causing other people to follow. On the other hand I am disgusted by the lack of confrontation with the real issues coming from the RCA (by not providing solutions in tandem with their “criticisms” they are not dealing with the issues), they are archaic and delusional, their childish views and tolerance of rape, molestation, homosexuality, sex, poverty, fraud, and authoritarianism, while fighting modernity’s greatest achievements in arts, education, internet, technology, economics and globalization reflects this. This being said I am thankful for the fact that they preserve the Torah in it’s purity, and allow us to access that on some level.
    How we align reality and that Torah view is the struggle, and is born out of Halacha’s expression of kedusha, not a bastardization either by distorting the Torah’s view of sexuality, a la Rabbi Greenberg, or ignore the realities of life. No outside impulse holds the keys to our morality, but the world we live in is built on a spectrum created by extremes, understanding that those positions are extreme, and that we have a choice for authentic Torah lives is liberating.

    TL;DR – Rabbi Greenberg is not inline with Torah, even if he is couragious in dealing with the issues. The RCA governmental body is out of touch with reality. The answer is in Torah living.

    Responses. Am I missing something?

  3. Hi Richard,
    I believe your blog is linked within the article as well. Additionally, if you’re ever interested in reaching UCLA or Los Angeles audiences in particular, Ha’Am would be pleased to work with you and provide an outlet. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] to discuss that prospect.
    Shabbat Shalom,
    Jacob