Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita says, “I have contact with the people, but not through the parade, and I do not understand the need for this, which is certainly a contradiction of the sacredness of Jerusalem,” as Yerushalayim once again prepared to host another toeiva parade R”L.
Rabbi Stern explains he does not understand the gain by having the parade in the city, adding he is willing to hold a tefilla near them but not taking part in the parade.
Speaking to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), Rabbi Stern told of the actions he took two years ago after the murder of Shira Banki at a parade in the capital. “I expressed my opinion at the time and participated in the mourning rally in memory of Shira Banki. I was in the mourners’ house to comfort privately. This was something that would not be done, and none of the rabbis and halakhic authorities think that we should go in this direction.”
“I am sorry that the day after Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, the holy city, we have to respond to this parade, which must be in contradiction to the goal of the sanctity of Jerusalem.”
When asked if he would accept the men and women of the toeiva community as he does persons who are Mechalel Shabbos, he stated he would take up the challenge of having a tefilla with this tzibur on a Shabbos.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
Somewhat of a unique approach of this rabbi. Finally someone with a somewhat level-headed approach to the issue.
This Rabbi Stern’s attempt at political correctness will not succeed.
Most, if not all toeivas are sick human beings. These mentally disturbed people act this way because society says that they’re born that way and they can’t help themselves.
Years ago, when these toeivas were “in-the-closet” and society recognized them as mentally ill, there were fewer of them and you rarely heard from them or about them. But once political correctness began with their “Age of Fantasies” this issue moved to the forefront.
Even though they are a bunch of sick people, nevertheless they are people and they should be given proper medical and mental health treatment.
Rabbi Stern should stop pandering to them for whatever reason he is doing so.
Shall we rename the Land of Israel? Cana’an?
We were commanded to wipe out utterly the inhabitants solely because of these degenerate revulsions.
As important as as communal chillul / shemiras shabbos is, does it say (Vayikra18 :28,20 :22) ” V’lo saki ha’aretz eschem”???
The Land was given to us on Probation.
If violated…..
drugcommish in LA
Wow wow wow! Such unfortunate ignorance. What if one of your own children turned out to be “sick and mental” in this way. Would you have the same approach?? How about individuals in the chareidi who have have taken their lives over this issue, in no small part due to the sort of rhetoric of people like yourself.
People like Rabbis who are sensitive, notwithstanding their commitment to the torah never espouse the sort of hurtful things that you do, which isn’t based on a conviction of the truth of the Torah, but rather on extreme ignorance.
drugcommish in LA
Wow wow wow! Such unfortunate ignorance. What if one of your own children turned out to be “sick and mental” in this way. Would you have the same approach?? How about individuals in the chareidi world who have taken their lives over this issue, in no small part due to the sort of rhetoric of people like yourself.
People like Rabbis who are sensitive, notwithstanding their commitment to the torah never espouse the sort of hurtful things that you do, which isn’t based on a conviction of the truth of the Torah, but rather on extreme ignorance.
To faithandreason,
Your political correctness is spiraling out of control. You refer to my statement as “unfortunate ignorance”. Political correctness requires you to first attack and denigrate your opponent, then state your version/opinion of how the world is supposed to operate, and end with name calling like ignorant or racist.
If one of my own children c”v became a deviant toeiva I would would find the best medical/mental care to resolve the situation. Since being toeiva is a bad choice that some make it can be reversed with proper medical/mental care.
Suicide is a natural progression of toeiva mental disease. If not treated early and properly, the toeiva is liable to commit suicide. No one is born to commit suicide just as no one is born to commit deviant toeiva acts.
You refer to the “truth of Torah”. Be honest with yourself. Look at Vayikro, Yud-Ches (Leviticus 18) where the Torah explicitly forbids toeivah on penalty of death. This subject is so important that we read it from the Torah at Mincha on Yom Kippur.
The Rabbis I know are not welcoming or accepting of these sick ideas.
I have been a jail Chaplain for nearly 30 years and I’ve dealt with all types of inmates including deviants and other types with mental problems. It’s a real shame that people choose to murder, steal, embezzle, become deviants, etc. Remember, they’re not born that way.
drugcommish in LA,
On one hand you describe them as mentally sick, and then you go on to say that they chose to be that way. Huh?
Being gay is not a choice any more than having any number of other shortcomings, like having downs, not having limbs, etc. The idea that anyone would chose to be like this is so beyond the imagination.