Monday, May 4, 2015

The "Achrei Mot/Kedoshim" Conundrum

Note: Before I write this I just want people to know this is just an opinion, and I personally like to be matter of fact. If I offend anyone I honestly do not mean to.

This past week was the Parsha that is the only mention of anything related to Homosexual activity in the written part of the Torah. Many religious Gay people always feel bad this week in shul and have a hard time with this portion of Kriat Hatorah. I feel there are a few things about this entire issue that needs to be said.

The Gay Persons Aspect: (Note the Biblical prohibition is exclusively for men)

First off one has to understand that this weeks parsha does not make the issur any stronger because it is mentioned. It just happens to be the week it is mentioned. Of course I understand hearing it out loud in shul can be hurtful, but remember the week of Achrei Mot/Kedoshim is just like any other week in a Gay mans life. The issur is a constant. My point is that a person needs to work on coming to terms with the issur on his level, and if he does than he should be able to sit through this torah reading content with his lot in life. Of course this is way easier said than done, but that should be the aim.
Do people think that perhaps the reason it hurts more on this specific week because its blatant and it brings up underlying guilt that is there all year round?
*This is a Question not a judgment*

The "Straight Community" Aspect:

There seems to be a train of thought within many circles in the orthodox world that during this weeks parsha it is a responsibility for them to get up and speak out against the current LGBTQ political climate. This is ridiculous in my opinion. When we read the portion of "Avoda Zara" do we have congregants giving speeches against Jesus? When we read the portion against "Adultery" Do we speak out against secular societies view on relationships? Of course not. Why is that, it is because there does not seem to be a threat to the orthodox community due to these modern societal values. When it comes to the "Gay Issue" the orthodox world is at a loss and feels threatened by it. Now that does not excuse the pulpit thumping against LGBT relationships and Marriage in shul. There is no place in a shul to have a political opinion on secular society based on your religious doctrine, especially when A: it does not apply to the majority of the congregation B: it can be hurtful to the select few Gay people in your congregation. In fact it may even fall into one of the worst Aveirot categories: Shvichat Damim (Metaphorical spilling of anothers blood) one of the only UNFORGIVABLE sins in Judaism. Tread carefully Rabbis when dealing with this, You may be sinning in one of the worst ways without even realizing it.

Optimism For Gay Men in regards to religion:

There are various theories within the confines of orthodox Judaism trying to explain this one single Issur of acting on gay desires within halacha. Many theories have been discussed about what the pasuk really means. I personally read and recommend rabbi Chaim Rappaports book "Judaism and Homosexuality: An Authentic Orthodox View" for all LGBTQ people to read. It is the most comprehensive study of homosexuality within orthodoxy ever compiled, and discusses almost every aspect and theory on the subject. However this is not an easy book to read, due to its matter-of-fact halacha only take. I also highly recommend suggesting this book to any straight person or rabbi that actually wants to know more on the halachic issues within homosexuality.

At the end of the day Being Gay and Orthodox is not and will never be easy. But it can be easier. Hopefully every person that feels especially down on this specific week can see the bigger picture, and eventually be able to walk into shul on parshat Achrei Mot/Kedoshim and still feel proud that he is walking in his truth.

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