Monday, June 11, 2007
The Gay Parade and Orthodox Judaism
The Jerusalem Post reports that rabbis have enacted a curse against any involved in any way with the planned Gay parade that is due to take place in Jerusalem on June 21st (see http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1181228589549&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull).
While the paper puts the onus on extreme anti-Zionist Hareidi rabbis, Jews from many streams of Orthodox Judaism were involved in threatening last year's attempted parade with violence. The parade was eventually changed to a rally at the Hebrew University, as the police could not otherwise guarantee the safety of the participants; they feared there would be loss of life.
Many orthodox Jews saw the cancellation as a victory. Essentially however, it was a black day for Judaism. Orthodox Jews proved that they had lost the debate, that their arguments were unpersuasive and that they lacked a common language with the general public.
If we want Orthodox Judaism to be taken seriously we must remove the stain of barbarity and threat. Let us use logical persuasion rather than violent threats – and if our logic loses, then let us wear sackcloth and mourn; but let us not dishonour Judaism with threats of violence against our fellow Jews.
While the paper puts the onus on extreme anti-Zionist Hareidi rabbis, Jews from many streams of Orthodox Judaism were involved in threatening last year's attempted parade with violence. The parade was eventually changed to a rally at the Hebrew University, as the police could not otherwise guarantee the safety of the participants; they feared there would be loss of life.
Many orthodox Jews saw the cancellation as a victory. Essentially however, it was a black day for Judaism. Orthodox Jews proved that they had lost the debate, that their arguments were unpersuasive and that they lacked a common language with the general public.
If we want Orthodox Judaism to be taken seriously we must remove the stain of barbarity and threat. Let us use logical persuasion rather than violent threats – and if our logic loses, then let us wear sackcloth and mourn; but let us not dishonour Judaism with threats of violence against our fellow Jews.
Labels: gay, Homosexual, Judasim, Parade, violence
