The California Supreme Court abolished the state’s same-sex marriage ban in May, sparking public celebration in some places and angry protest in others. Now some critics of same-sex marriage are fighting back with an initiative to reinstate the ban, leaving voters once again divided. Should marriage remain between a man and a woman, or is it time to widen the aisle for same-sex couples? (Editor's Note: On November 4th, California voters passed Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage.)
But we do support Proposition 8, which simply
put, defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. Where does that leave Orthodox Jews and Orthodox Judaism with friends, relatives, coworkers, neighbors and synagogue members who are gay?
While Orthodox Jewish opposition to homosexual behavior is absolute, and the
Torah, in Leviticus leaves no room for debate on the matter,
regarding those who are homosexual themselves, like anyone else who doesn’t act
in accordance with Jewish religious law (what we used to call sinners) Orthodox
Jews and Orthodox synagogues and institutions, are also governed by the rules
of deracheha darchei noam, it’s ways [the ways of the Torah] are pleasant and
v’chol n’sivoseha shalom, all it’s paths are peace.
The reality is that we are all sinners in some way great or small, and if we
didn’t admit sinners into our synagogues, they’d be mighty empty. Nor do
we make those entering to pray or study swear what their beliefs are.
Agnostics and atheists are welcome in our houses of worship too.
But what we do demand is tolerance.
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