This is the sixth year in which the “’Religious Community’ – Religious Community for the Gay Community” will march in the Jerusalem Toeiva Parade R”L, in solidarity, fraternity and support for the toeiva community.
The group was founded six years ago by a number of religious women from Jerusalem, who explain they were fed up with “the slanders and insults of rabbis and religious public figures against the gay community”.
At first, a few women marched, but over the years the group grew, and today dozens of ‘religious’ men and women march, coming from around the country to the parade to support the cause.
The group marches alongside religious groups (Chavruta, Bat Kol, and others), with chassidic songs no less and traditional prayer of the way organized by “Tag Meir”.
Meanwhile, the “Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabonim”, with a membership of over 950 Orthodox rabbis who serve as spiritual leaders of Congregations, Yeshiva’s and Communal organizations — representing the Jewish community of the United States, Canada, and overseas released a statement affirming its opposition to the planned “Gay Pride March” in Jerusalem.
“The Torah describes permitted and forbidden relationships. In contrast, paganism symbolized by ancient Rome celebrated permissiveness and the breaking down of family values and societal boundaries. It is tragic that rather than Torah emerging from Zion and Jerusalem a Roman-style march should pass through it — generating a mockery of what Jerusalem and its residents have held sacred for millennia.
“This march is associated with turning the Torah on its head by redefining and supporting that which is prohibited by the Torah. Controlling one’s desires is a cornerstone of the Torah, a prerequisite for acquiring wisdom and communing with the Divine.
“Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Presidium Chairman of the RAA/Igud, calls on all people who treasure Scripture and tradition to protest peaceably this grave affront to the holy City of Jerusalem. All people are welcome in Jerusalem. However, Jerusalem is designated as sacred and cannot be the stage for protests against the Torah. The RAA/Igud supports the call of Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar to remove this march from the City of Jerusalem.
“May the One who makes peace in the Heavenly heights make peace upon us and upon all Israel, Amen.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
There is nothing religious about them except for them choosing to use the word for propaganda.
Can you define “religious”? What makes them “religious”?
@YWN why are you posting this? Why do we need to see this? Yes they are disgusting indivduals but whats the reason we need to see this! Is your revenue down?
How are they going to contain themselves in 48 days from now, just 2 hours away from the final sealing, during Yom-Kippur Mincho Kerias haTorah, when commencing the 3rd Aliya?
All some organizations seem to do is release statements. There needs to be counter activity against these abominations and more education about the what Torah says about it, as well as banning anyone who espouses and practices abominations from teaching.
Religious means a shomer torah umitzvos, which they aren’t.
What right does yeshiva world news have to call the religious?
Many have made a mockery of “Rabbi” as well.
Shame on you.
@yudel – “Many have made a mockery of “Rabbi” as well
I agree. Reshoyim like you have hijacked the word “Rabbi” as well.
You bash everyone, and blog about every ganav except when its your own family. Not to worry…you Ponzi-scamming son will soon have his day. Takes after his father. Two mosrim.
So I agree. “Shame on you”.
Many who suffer from unusual desires never go against the Torah, but feel that they are not understood or respected by the general community. That is why they protest. There should be no difference between them and someone who has a strong desire for pigs meat but never touches it. Is it right to march besides those proud of going against the Torah? That’s another question. But both sides need to do some soul searching. They need to ask themselves if they are blaming the world for their problems and we need to ask if we are really trying to understand them and make them feel better about themselves despite having such feelings. Do we reject people who feel like smoking on shabbat but don’t? So why look at these people differently? They need our love comfort and support, not given to feel like they don’t belong. That’s why many become irreligious.
@rational jew, you just fell into their trap. They are not religious, fact. But attacking from within is much more destructive than attacking from the outside. thats why they decided to call themselves religious, to first try to convince everyone they are religious and then be able to say the Torah R”L permits this so more people will be drawn in. the fact is that the missionaries use this, the maskillim have used this, the zionists use this and most of the groups that were out to destroy yiddishkeit have utilized this. but the first step of the trap is for them to be recognized as religious jews.