Ask The Rabbi!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by TanithT

I do have a serious question for the rabbi. I am largely agnostic myself, but was raised in the Wiccan faith. My parents told me quite seriously that I should favor Jews over Christians in business dealings, because during hard times, Jews had a history of compassionately helping Witches, Romany gypsies, midwives, folk healers and others who were persecuted mercilessly by the Christians as "evil". In short, Christians would burn us or try to forcibly convert us, and Jews would respect us and help us. So that was their version of the in-group/out-group story. Any historical verification from the Jewish end possible here?

Jewish religion mandates respect for others and their beliefs. As mentioned in an above post, we do not preach, aim to convert or forcibly subject any non-Jews to embrace Judaism. This might be unique amongst world religions/philosophies. We are a "role" oriented faith, we have ours, you have yours... a non-Jewish persons role includes observing the 7 Laws of Noah (see www.noahide.org) consciously. Most of the nations of the world have embraced them, including our great country the USA.

The Seven Laws of Noah were recognized by the United States Congress in the preamble to the bill that established Education Day in honor of the 90th birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement:

Whereas Congress recognizes the historical tradition of ethical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded; Whereas these ethical values and principles have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws.

[TanithT]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Jewish religion mandates respect for others and their beliefs. As mentioned in an above post, we do not preach, aim to convert or forcibly subject any non-Jews to embrace Judaism. This might be unique amongst world religions/philosophies.

Actually, the entire category of "Mystery Traditions" were right there before you.

In a mystery tradition, seekers must go through ordeals to qualify for initiation, and/or prove to their teachers that they are worthy and deeply committed before they are permitted to join the faith and given the key to the initatory mysteries. A fairly large number of indigenous and "folk" faiths would qualify for this designation. Wicca definitely does, as the most popular modern survival of the ancient British folk traditions.

The members of a non-proselytizing faith are still not immune from making war on out-groups, since they still compete for resources. Jews do have a significantly better track record in that department than other monotheists, and it's observed and appreciated.

If a fundamental principle of your faith is "live and let live, we do not need to make others follow our religious taboos", why is a prohibition against immoral sex acts included in the Noahide laws? Does any particular sex act between two or more consenting adults qualify as "immoral" by rabbinical judgment? If so, why?

Some other faiths, including the one I grew up in, have a rede to the effect of, "An it harm none, do as you will." In short, anything two (or three, or four, or five....) healthy consenting adults of any gender configuration choose do together in their own homes, in love or in lust, harms no one and should be fine by everyone. Consequently the only reason for passing a law against it is that it violates your own religious taboo or your personal sensibilities.

So.....if that's one of the Noahide laws that non-Jews are expected to abide by, what is the rationale behind it? And what constitutes sexual immorality according to this codification?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by TanithT

why is a prohibition against immoral sex acts included in the Noahide laws? Does any particular sex act between two or more consenting adults qualify as "immoral" by rabbinical judgment? If so, why?



So.....if that's one of the Noahide laws that non-Jews are expected to abide by, what is the rationale behind it? And what constitutes sexual immorality according to this codification?

Firstly, all of actions (even our speech and our thoughts) have an effect.

Secondly, the Noahide laws were given to Noach (and his family) after the flood, as he was to be the progenitor of all humanity and the world would not fail again. These are the pillars of a civilized society.
This book, Seven Colors of the Rainbow, by Yirmeyahu Bindman is one of the best, if not the best book on the Noahide Laws.

The following is from this website: http://www.hasidicuniversity.org/ind...acy/th_toc.htm
DISCLAIMER: I cannot say whether or not it is reputable, but they seem to know their stuff.
Search this website for further answers to your question(s).
Commandments Against Immoral Relations
(32 commandments)




Biblical:
+212)
To have multiple children

+213)
To marry a woman

+214)
For a groom to rejoice with his wife for one year


- 52)
No intermarriage between Jews and gentiles

- 262)
Not to withhold food, clothing, or intercourse from one’s wife

- 311)
Not to send a groom to duties away from home in his 1st year of marriage

- 330)
No relations with one’s mother

- 331)
No relations with one’s father’s wife

- 332)
No relations with one’s sister

- 333)
No relations with one’s father’s daughter

- 334)
No relations with one’s son’s daughter

- 335)
No relations with one’s daughter’s daughter

- 336)
No relations with one’s daughter

- 337)
No relations with a woman and with her daughter

- 338)
No relations with a woman and with her son’s daughter

- 339)
No relations with a woman and with her daughter’s daughter

- 340)
No relations with one’s father’s sister

- 341)
No relations with one’s mother’s sister

- 342)
No relations with the wife of one’s father’s brother

- 343)
No relations with the wife of one’s son

- 344)
No relations with the wife of one’s brother

- 345)
No relations with the sister of one’s wife

- 346)
No relations with a woman in her monthly period

- 347)
No adultery with a married woman

- 348)
For a man not to have relations with an animal

- 349)
For a woman not to have relations with an animal

- 350)
No homosexual relations

- 351)
No homosexual relations with one’s father

- 352)
No homosexual relations with the brother of one’s father

- 353)
No immodest contact that draws close to forbidden relations

- 355)
Not to have intercourse outside of formal marriage

- 356)
Not to remarry one’s divorced wife after she has remarried

[TanithT]

Thank you for answering, Rabbi. So is significant anti-gay prejudice encouraged by Jewish religious authorities? Eg, vote no on gay marriage and that sort of thing? Or do they take a more "let your own conscience be your guide" stance? What about gay Jews? Are they treated differently, or told not to have any relations, or told to "convert" to heterosexuality? What about intersexed and transgendered individuals?

Science says that this kind of thing is biological hardwiring, not a choice, so that makes it ethically kind of tough to condemn people who get born that way. How does the Jewish religion handle that?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by TanithT

Thank you for answering, Rabbi.... Homosexuality etc... How does the Jewish religion handle that?

TanithT your questions (& responses) are very thought provoking, and also very lengthy, so you will excuse me if I refer you to sources, which are better anyway, for those who truly wish to explore (especially than my quick one-off answers).

This is the quintessential book on the subject:
Judaism and Homosexuality by Rabbi Chayim Rappaport (Vallentine Mitchell, 2004)
Being an extremely sensitive issue, Rabbi Rappaport does a brilliant job at portraying the Torah viewpoint towards homosexuality. Using a combination of Torah, medical, and psychological sources he uses an extremely empathetic tone in discussing the challenge of the homosexual as well as how the Jewish community should relate to these individuals. A brief article written by Rabbi Rappaport, “Judaism and Homosexuality”,


I hope this helps.