A Modern Debate from Biblical Times

Parshat Acharei Mot is one of the more provocative of the Torah's passages, especially chapter 18. To keep it blunt, Chapter 18 is the part of Leviticus where laws on sexual practice are discussed. Sex laws, just calling out the elephant in the room. Most times, our religious views on sex are taboo. As a writer and scholar, I wish to view my opinion on one of the most discussed commandments in the Bible. The Torah states, "You shall not lie down with a male, as with a woman: this is an abomination" (Lev. 18:22).

Abomination, now that is a firm word. In my bright red pen, I wrote the word "why" seven times in the margin. Now such a quote could turn people off to Judaism for good. In the parshat, I got a couple of reasons to my septuple why. First of all, the Torah claims that the restraints put on sex are to distinguish the people of Israel from those who enslaved them in Egypt and dwell in Canaan. Another response is that such practices would defile one's name and the name of God. The final response to conclude the parshat is the God's way of saying "because I said so. God declares, "I am the Lord your God". What will happen if one finds a homosexual in their midst? According to the Torah, the person shall be shunned, or worse banished. That word still bothers me, abomination.

Psychologists believe and have nearly come to prove that being gay, lesbian, transexual, or bisexual is not something one can control. It is merely the physical way a particular type of brain functions. People can not prevent what Judaism calls, "an abomination". This is not to say that homosexuals are cut off from the community today. I am a Jew, but I fight for the civil rights of those who have a particular sexual orientation. In Christianity, it is nearly the same way. Christians protect homosexuals, but some still proclaim this a sin. Muslims abstain from the birds and the bees between the same gender, yet a mere relationship between gays or lesbians is under debate. Depending on which branch of Buddhism one belongs to, homosexuality is either accepted or seen as a tad bit obscure and unnatural. The Bhudda does not particularly discuss his view in his writings. Hindus disagree on their views, but their writings have no particular preference. As one can see, Eastern ideals are more accepting than those of the West.

Homosexuals of today are to black people of the 1960's. What will happen if we do not change our ways? On the show "Glee", Kurt Hummel is an excellent demonstration of homosexual bullying at its worst extent. His public school failed to protect him and eventually drove him out. It may be a fictional TV musical, but the point is still rigid. Just this past week, Kobe Bryant got ticked off at a referee. He called them a "homo". Such behavior can make homosexuals feel like aliens on their planet. In the United States, a citizen can marry their cousin in 26 states. As of 2009, same sex marriage was legal in 6 states. Homosexuals are trapped without a voice, a place, or a time.

There are many ways to put an end to the isolation of homosexuals. Just today was the Day of Silence, a day where people go without talking to show what it is like for a homosexual, transexual, bisexual, someone questioning their orientation who are deprived of their ability to come out and say what they feel. Empathy is a quality that ranks above bravery, strength, and intelligence anytime, anywhere. We must take time now to treat this minority of people like anyone of us. They treat straight people no differently they interact with each other. Like standing up to antisemitism, we have to rise against this bullying and defend those around us. Never again should someone defenselessly be called a "homo" or "fag" by some ignorant coward. Never again should a situation be described as "gay". The most influential of actions an adult can take is sitting down and talking to their children about how to interact with those of a different sexual orientation. The conversation is simple. It goes, "If you ever came home and said that you were gay/lesbian we would support you all the way?" We have the chance to change our world, especially the millenium generation.

How do we react as Jews? Reform Jews have generally abolished this law from their repertoire and are open to accept even rabbis who prefer to love someone different than the opposite gender. Conservative and Orthodox Jews are hesitant to defy the Torah, but may be getting exponentially more liberal. As a Jewish nation, we are commanded to change the world. Is one allowed to abstain from eternal law to bring themselves into the modern age? Whenever the debate comes up, we Jews just go "Oy!" Everyone knows the old saying that with two Jews comes three opinions.


Cited Sources
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Buddhism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Christianity - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Hinduism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Islam - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .
-CousinCouples.org. "Facts about cousin marriage." Cousin Marriage Resources. 15 Apr. 2011. 15 Apr. 2011 .
-Vestal, Christine. "Gay marriage legal in six states." Stateline. 4 June 2009. Stateline.org. 15 Apr. 2011 .