21 july 2016
Rabbi Levinstein
300 rabbis across Israel signed a letter in solidarity with Rabbi Levinstein despite referring to LGBT people as 'perverts;' Levinstein invited to clarify his comments at the defense ministry; Rabbis; 'We reject the attempt to shut the mouths of rabbis in Israel.'
Hundreds of rabbis have come out in support for for the Religious-Zionist Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, the head of a distinguished IDF preparatory yeshiva found himself at the center of conrtoversy following comments labelling LGBT people ‘perverts.’
The Rabbis penned a letter which was published on Wednesday night stating: “There is no place for legitimizing these phenomena or this behavior which celebrates a lifestyle contrary to human morality and the path of the Torah.”
“The love toward every human being from Israel and the obligation to show respect to every person cannot be used as a reason to twist the religious truth or to cut corners regarding forbidden acts,” the rabbis wrote. “It is the duty of a rabbi in Israel to deal with all religious or moral matters in a clear fashion as teachers in Israel. In this vein, we reject the attempt to shut the mouths of rabbis in Israel,” the letter continued.
One of the people who initiated the petition said that he wanted to express his opposition for comments made by Bayit Yehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett who this week criticized Rabbi Levinstein and claimed that his remarks against the gay community did not represent religious Zionism.
“We find it difficult to understand how a politician - however talented - can take it on himself to exclude rabbis who have shaped religious Zionism for many years, who have educated thousands of students who have become role models.”
Three hundred rabbis across the country signed the declaration along with respected educators and heads of Yeshivas, Hebrew learning centers and IDF preparatory yeshivas.
300 rabbis across Israel signed a letter in solidarity with Rabbi Levinstein despite referring to LGBT people as 'perverts;' Levinstein invited to clarify his comments at the defense ministry; Rabbis; 'We reject the attempt to shut the mouths of rabbis in Israel.'
Hundreds of rabbis have come out in support for for the Religious-Zionist Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, the head of a distinguished IDF preparatory yeshiva found himself at the center of conrtoversy following comments labelling LGBT people ‘perverts.’
The Rabbis penned a letter which was published on Wednesday night stating: “There is no place for legitimizing these phenomena or this behavior which celebrates a lifestyle contrary to human morality and the path of the Torah.”
“The love toward every human being from Israel and the obligation to show respect to every person cannot be used as a reason to twist the religious truth or to cut corners regarding forbidden acts,” the rabbis wrote. “It is the duty of a rabbi in Israel to deal with all religious or moral matters in a clear fashion as teachers in Israel. In this vein, we reject the attempt to shut the mouths of rabbis in Israel,” the letter continued.
One of the people who initiated the petition said that he wanted to express his opposition for comments made by Bayit Yehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett who this week criticized Rabbi Levinstein and claimed that his remarks against the gay community did not represent religious Zionism.
“We find it difficult to understand how a politician - however talented - can take it on himself to exclude rabbis who have shaped religious Zionism for many years, who have educated thousands of students who have become role models.”
Three hundred rabbis across the country signed the declaration along with respected educators and heads of Yeshivas, Hebrew learning centers and IDF preparatory yeshivas.
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel
“In light of the recent public discussions regarding the remarks of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Yigal Levinstein and other rabbis,” read the letter, “we wish to express our support to every rabbi who expresses his rabinical opinion which stems from faith in the Torah, impartially and without apologies.”
The rabbis concluded their letter pledging that they will continue to express their religious opinion on every matter which demands it, without fear, in fulfillment of their public responsibilities, “on behalf of the silent majority - religious and nonreligious.”
Despite the talk, Yedioth Ahronoth was informed that Rabbi Levinstein was invited on Thursday morning to speak with the chief of staff of the defense ministry, Maj. Gen. Udi Adam to clarify matters. The meeting is expected to take place in the Kiryah in Tel Aviv where Maj. Gen. Adam is likely to demand that Levinstein retract his comments.
The defense ministry, together with the education ministry, finances the IDF preparatory Yeshiva. However, officials have claimed that even if Levinstein does not apologize, there are no legal grounds on which finances can be withheld.
“In light of the recent public discussions regarding the remarks of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Yigal Levinstein and other rabbis,” read the letter, “we wish to express our support to every rabbi who expresses his rabinical opinion which stems from faith in the Torah, impartially and without apologies.”
The rabbis concluded their letter pledging that they will continue to express their religious opinion on every matter which demands it, without fear, in fulfillment of their public responsibilities, “on behalf of the silent majority - religious and nonreligious.”
Despite the talk, Yedioth Ahronoth was informed that Rabbi Levinstein was invited on Thursday morning to speak with the chief of staff of the defense ministry, Maj. Gen. Udi Adam to clarify matters. The meeting is expected to take place in the Kiryah in Tel Aviv where Maj. Gen. Adam is likely to demand that Levinstein retract his comments.
The defense ministry, together with the education ministry, finances the IDF preparatory Yeshiva. However, officials have claimed that even if Levinstein does not apologize, there are no legal grounds on which finances can be withheld.
19 july 2016
Eliezer Berland, who fled Israel three years ago when called for police questioning and who has wandered from country to country since then, has landed in Israel and been taken into police custody; hundreds of Breslovers greeted the plane.
Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who fled Israel after being accused of sexual harassment, landed on Tuesday morning in the country after being extradited by the South African authorities. Upon exiting the plane, he was arrested by Israel Police officers who were awaiting his arrival and who took him for investigation.
Berland, a leader in the Breslov Hassidic movement, was greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by hundreds of Hassidim from his sect who came to express their support for him and who recited their morning prayers together.
The 79-year-old rabbi founded the Shuvu Bonim Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 2012, one of his Hassidim alleged that he had seen Berland in an immodest position with a girl from the community. The man who made this allegation was beaten by of Hassidim, and this incident led to the police's investigating. Afterwards, additional testimonies were collected from women regarding sex crimes.
Berland fled the country to Morocco in 2013, shortly after he was supposed to present himself for questioning to the police. King Mohammed VI expelled Berland from Morocco, and from there he travelled to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and South Africa.
In Zimbabwe, the local media published information regarding Berland's alleged flight from justice. As a result, the authorities expelled him from that country as well, claiming that Berland had overstayed his tourist visa.
In 2014, the rabbi travelled to Johannesburg. Local police began searching for him there following an international arrest warrant from Interpol. Berland fled to the Netherlands, where he was arrested. There, a Dutch court decided that he should be extradited to Israel, and he was placed on house arrest.
On July 7, 2015, Berland fled again, violating his house arrest. Two months passed before it was ascertained that he had returned to South Africa.
A Hassid who came to greet Berland's arrival at the airport said, "The rabbi's admirers from all ethnic groups and circles are determined to come to any place that he may be where they will reside until he returns to his home and his community."
Berland transmitted a recorded message to his supporters before boarding the plane that stated, "We ask everyone to behave calmly, with Derech Eretz, not to irritate the policemen or women, not to lift a hand, not to be impudent, not to say unpleasant words; everything needs to be according to Jewish law." He called for each of his supporters to donate 1,000 shekels to fund his legal defense.
Berland's attorney, Rachel Toren, said that her client's departure from Israel three years ago was unrelated to the investigation into his actions and that he was actually unaware of its existence when he left. She added that he intended to cooperate with the authorities and that he hoped the investigation would be finished swiftly and efficiently.
Toren stated, "Contrary to reports, the rabbi is suspected of acts of relatively low severity according to the law: Conspiracy to attack—and the attackers themselves were sentenced to community service—and indecent acts that are the lower limit of the relevant offenses. We have no doubt that at the investigation's conclusion, these suspicions will be refuted."
Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who fled Israel after being accused of sexual harassment, landed on Tuesday morning in the country after being extradited by the South African authorities. Upon exiting the plane, he was arrested by Israel Police officers who were awaiting his arrival and who took him for investigation.
Berland, a leader in the Breslov Hassidic movement, was greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by hundreds of Hassidim from his sect who came to express their support for him and who recited their morning prayers together.
The 79-year-old rabbi founded the Shuvu Bonim Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 2012, one of his Hassidim alleged that he had seen Berland in an immodest position with a girl from the community. The man who made this allegation was beaten by of Hassidim, and this incident led to the police's investigating. Afterwards, additional testimonies were collected from women regarding sex crimes.
Berland fled the country to Morocco in 2013, shortly after he was supposed to present himself for questioning to the police. King Mohammed VI expelled Berland from Morocco, and from there he travelled to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and South Africa.
In Zimbabwe, the local media published information regarding Berland's alleged flight from justice. As a result, the authorities expelled him from that country as well, claiming that Berland had overstayed his tourist visa.
In 2014, the rabbi travelled to Johannesburg. Local police began searching for him there following an international arrest warrant from Interpol. Berland fled to the Netherlands, where he was arrested. There, a Dutch court decided that he should be extradited to Israel, and he was placed on house arrest.
On July 7, 2015, Berland fled again, violating his house arrest. Two months passed before it was ascertained that he had returned to South Africa.
A Hassid who came to greet Berland's arrival at the airport said, "The rabbi's admirers from all ethnic groups and circles are determined to come to any place that he may be where they will reside until he returns to his home and his community."
Berland transmitted a recorded message to his supporters before boarding the plane that stated, "We ask everyone to behave calmly, with Derech Eretz, not to irritate the policemen or women, not to lift a hand, not to be impudent, not to say unpleasant words; everything needs to be according to Jewish law." He called for each of his supporters to donate 1,000 shekels to fund his legal defense.
Berland's attorney, Rachel Toren, said that her client's departure from Israel three years ago was unrelated to the investigation into his actions and that he was actually unaware of its existence when he left. She added that he intended to cooperate with the authorities and that he hoped the investigation would be finished swiftly and efficiently.
Toren stated, "Contrary to reports, the rabbi is suspected of acts of relatively low severity according to the law: Conspiracy to attack—and the attackers themselves were sentenced to community service—and indecent acts that are the lower limit of the relevant offenses. We have no doubt that at the investigation's conclusion, these suspicions will be refuted."
Yigal Levinstein addressing pre-army yeshiva students
Following the exposure and uproar to Rabbi Yigal Levinstein's 'Perverts' speech, the IDF has decided to reevaluate its collaboration with the pre-army preparatory yeshiva head, who frequently visits army bases and lectures; head of IDF Manpower Directorate cancelled a visit to Levinstein's yeshiva on Tuesday.
Following the publication and public condemnation of Rabbi Yigal Levinstein's homophobic statements in what has been coined "the 'Perverts' speech," the IDF announced on Tuesday morning its decision to reevaluate its collaboration with him. The reevaluation will examine, inter alia, his visiting military bases throughout the country and lecturing students.
A decision will be taken after Levinstein clarifies his controversial pronouncements. Despite this, Head of the Manpower Directorate Maj. Gen. Hagi Topolanski canceled his scheduled Tuesday-morning visit to the Bnei David Yeshiva's pre-army program, run by Levinstein.
On Monday, the Ministry of Defense condemned the rabbi following Ynet's contacting them for comment. The ministry's director general, Maj. Gen. Udi Adam, instructed its Defense Social Branch, which is responsible for the re-army preparatory programs, to seek clarifications from the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva. The yeshiva receives half of its funding from the Defense Ministry. The ministry did not reply to Ynet's query regarding the future of Bnei David if the rabbi does not retract his earlier statements.
The IDF's policy of inclusivity remains unchanged, despite Levinstein's criticism of the military's liberal policy towards LGBT soldiers. It intends to continue its collaboration with LGBT organizations and their involvement in the army. The IDF has not yet officially condemned the rabbi's statements.
However, there are those who do condemn them off the record. Said an IDF officer to Ynet, "As the head of a distinguished pre-army preparatory yeshiva like the one at Bnei David, he has a huge influence with his words on hundreds and thousands of soldiers and commanders, in active and reserves service, Bnei David alumni, part of who have become company commanders and battalion commanders.
"What will a (Bnei David) alumnus think, who today is a platoon commander in Golani or Givati, with Rabbi Levinstein being considered his rabbi, when a recuit comes to him and says that he's having problems dealing because of homophobic statements against him?
"How will that platoon commander respond if the unit's education officer asks him to host a lecture for his soldiers on the rights of LGBT soldiers? Rabbi Levinstein's Bnei David has produced the best officers for select IDF unites in recent years, so his statements are echoing and seeping in a lot more than another homophobic statement of a neighborhood rabbi or city rabbi."
The same anonymous source recalled that a few weeks ago, the Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot visited the preparatory yeshiva, spoke with the students there and was photographed with Levinstein. The yeshiva's website showcases Levinstein's visits on IDF bases, and the lectures that he gives to soldiers and officers are regular occurrences. Amongst the subjects that the rabbi has lectured on are leadership, values, and command dilemmas.
"It would be enough if one of his students, who has become a commander, will be influenced by his words and will display this towards his soldier 'perverts'—then the damage could be irreversible," said the officer.
Levinstein's comments came following IDF policy evolution in recent years. Indeed, the IDF has done so to such an extent that in a NATO military conference, IDF Chief of Staff Advisor on Gender Issues Brig. Gen. Rachel Tevet-Wiesel was asked by her colleagues in other western armies to learn how they could facilitate LGBT soldiers in passing their service with as much significance as their comrades in arms.
Following the exposure and uproar to Rabbi Yigal Levinstein's 'Perverts' speech, the IDF has decided to reevaluate its collaboration with the pre-army preparatory yeshiva head, who frequently visits army bases and lectures; head of IDF Manpower Directorate cancelled a visit to Levinstein's yeshiva on Tuesday.
Following the publication and public condemnation of Rabbi Yigal Levinstein's homophobic statements in what has been coined "the 'Perverts' speech," the IDF announced on Tuesday morning its decision to reevaluate its collaboration with him. The reevaluation will examine, inter alia, his visiting military bases throughout the country and lecturing students.
A decision will be taken after Levinstein clarifies his controversial pronouncements. Despite this, Head of the Manpower Directorate Maj. Gen. Hagi Topolanski canceled his scheduled Tuesday-morning visit to the Bnei David Yeshiva's pre-army program, run by Levinstein.
On Monday, the Ministry of Defense condemned the rabbi following Ynet's contacting them for comment. The ministry's director general, Maj. Gen. Udi Adam, instructed its Defense Social Branch, which is responsible for the re-army preparatory programs, to seek clarifications from the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva. The yeshiva receives half of its funding from the Defense Ministry. The ministry did not reply to Ynet's query regarding the future of Bnei David if the rabbi does not retract his earlier statements.
The IDF's policy of inclusivity remains unchanged, despite Levinstein's criticism of the military's liberal policy towards LGBT soldiers. It intends to continue its collaboration with LGBT organizations and their involvement in the army. The IDF has not yet officially condemned the rabbi's statements.
However, there are those who do condemn them off the record. Said an IDF officer to Ynet, "As the head of a distinguished pre-army preparatory yeshiva like the one at Bnei David, he has a huge influence with his words on hundreds and thousands of soldiers and commanders, in active and reserves service, Bnei David alumni, part of who have become company commanders and battalion commanders.
"What will a (Bnei David) alumnus think, who today is a platoon commander in Golani or Givati, with Rabbi Levinstein being considered his rabbi, when a recuit comes to him and says that he's having problems dealing because of homophobic statements against him?
"How will that platoon commander respond if the unit's education officer asks him to host a lecture for his soldiers on the rights of LGBT soldiers? Rabbi Levinstein's Bnei David has produced the best officers for select IDF unites in recent years, so his statements are echoing and seeping in a lot more than another homophobic statement of a neighborhood rabbi or city rabbi."
The same anonymous source recalled that a few weeks ago, the Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot visited the preparatory yeshiva, spoke with the students there and was photographed with Levinstein. The yeshiva's website showcases Levinstein's visits on IDF bases, and the lectures that he gives to soldiers and officers are regular occurrences. Amongst the subjects that the rabbi has lectured on are leadership, values, and command dilemmas.
"It would be enough if one of his students, who has become a commander, will be influenced by his words and will display this towards his soldier 'perverts'—then the damage could be irreversible," said the officer.
Levinstein's comments came following IDF policy evolution in recent years. Indeed, the IDF has done so to such an extent that in a NATO military conference, IDF Chief of Staff Advisor on Gender Issues Brig. Gen. Rachel Tevet-Wiesel was asked by her colleagues in other western armies to learn how they could facilitate LGBT soldiers in passing their service with as much significance as their comrades in arms.
18 july 2016
'The Halacha is not meant to be used to divide us or single out people or groups,' says Education Minister Bennett as Defense Ministry director-general seeks clarifications from the pre-army preparatory yeshiva the rabbi heads.
The Defense Ministry, as well as Education Minister Naftali Bennett, on Monday harshly condemned comments made by a rabbi of a pre-army preparatory yeshiva who called LGBT persons "perverts."
Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, a central educational figure in the religious sector, also criticized the IDF for having permitted the LGBT persons to insert their worldview in the military system.
Defense Ministry Director-General, Maj. Gen. Udi Adam, instructed the ministry's Defense Social Branch, which is responsible for the re-army preparatory programs, to seek clarifications from the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva, which is headed by Rabbi Levinstein. The yeshiva receives half of its funding from the Defense Ministry.
The ministry did not, however, responded to questions regarding the measures it intends to take if the rabbi does not renege on his comments.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) also criticized the rabbi's comments, saying "the Halacha (Jewish law) is meant to determine what is permitted and what is forbidden, it was not meant to serve as a tool to divide us or to single out people, identities or sectors. One cannot use derogatory terms against an entire public of people and then hide behind the Halacha. These comments are unacceptable in my opinion. This is not the way of the religious-Zionist movement."
Bennett, who was speaking at the Knesset, added "I'm not a rabbi and I don't pretend to be a great Torah scholar. I cannot interpret the Halacha. But I am a religious Jew who loves the Torah and tries to live according to its laws. I'm also the education minister for over 2 million students, and I am the leader of the Bayit Yehudi movement. And this I know: Reality and life are far more complicated than what's forbidden and what's permitted. It's true, there are things the Torah specifically forbids. But not everyone who goes against the Torah gets kicked out of our midst. This isn't our way.
"Ought we to kill everyone who desecrates the Shabbat?" he wondered. "Has anyone been executed over the past 2000 years for desecrating the Shabbat?"
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, who is among the more liberal voices in the religious sector, also criticized Rabbi Levinstein. "The commandment of 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is the most rule in the Torah. 'Despite having sinned, is still one of Israel.' We must love every Jew and bring him closer to us in the community and at the synagogue and leave the judgment to the Holy One Blessed be He—so long as he doesn't harm another," he said.
Rabbi Riskin explained on Monday that LGBT persons had an exemption from "criminal" responsibility for acts they committed against Halacha laws, because if they are asked to answer to God for their actions, they could claim they were born with these tendencies and had no other choice.
Rabbi Riskin went on to say that if people were indeed born with certain sexual tendencies, then as long as they have not sexually harmed others, they are considered by Halacha as "conversos," Jews who converted to Catholicism in the 14th and 15th centuries after having no other choice. As such, the Torah exempts them.
The Defense Ministry, as well as Education Minister Naftali Bennett, on Monday harshly condemned comments made by a rabbi of a pre-army preparatory yeshiva who called LGBT persons "perverts."
Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, a central educational figure in the religious sector, also criticized the IDF for having permitted the LGBT persons to insert their worldview in the military system.
Defense Ministry Director-General, Maj. Gen. Udi Adam, instructed the ministry's Defense Social Branch, which is responsible for the re-army preparatory programs, to seek clarifications from the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva, which is headed by Rabbi Levinstein. The yeshiva receives half of its funding from the Defense Ministry.
The ministry did not, however, responded to questions regarding the measures it intends to take if the rabbi does not renege on his comments.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) also criticized the rabbi's comments, saying "the Halacha (Jewish law) is meant to determine what is permitted and what is forbidden, it was not meant to serve as a tool to divide us or to single out people, identities or sectors. One cannot use derogatory terms against an entire public of people and then hide behind the Halacha. These comments are unacceptable in my opinion. This is not the way of the religious-Zionist movement."
Bennett, who was speaking at the Knesset, added "I'm not a rabbi and I don't pretend to be a great Torah scholar. I cannot interpret the Halacha. But I am a religious Jew who loves the Torah and tries to live according to its laws. I'm also the education minister for over 2 million students, and I am the leader of the Bayit Yehudi movement. And this I know: Reality and life are far more complicated than what's forbidden and what's permitted. It's true, there are things the Torah specifically forbids. But not everyone who goes against the Torah gets kicked out of our midst. This isn't our way.
"Ought we to kill everyone who desecrates the Shabbat?" he wondered. "Has anyone been executed over the past 2000 years for desecrating the Shabbat?"
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, who is among the more liberal voices in the religious sector, also criticized Rabbi Levinstein. "The commandment of 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is the most rule in the Torah. 'Despite having sinned, is still one of Israel.' We must love every Jew and bring him closer to us in the community and at the synagogue and leave the judgment to the Holy One Blessed be He—so long as he doesn't harm another," he said.
Rabbi Riskin explained on Monday that LGBT persons had an exemption from "criminal" responsibility for acts they committed against Halacha laws, because if they are asked to answer to God for their actions, they could claim they were born with these tendencies and had no other choice.
Rabbi Riskin went on to say that if people were indeed born with certain sexual tendencies, then as long as they have not sexually harmed others, they are considered by Halacha as "conversos," Jews who converted to Catholicism in the 14th and 15th centuries after having no other choice. As such, the Torah exempts them.
17 july 2016
Yaakov Ariel
Prominent Religious-Zionist Yaakov Ariel comments on Rabbi Yigal Levinstein's 'pervert' remarks, decrying gays and lesbians as disabled predators having nothing to be proud of who seek to 'turn' otherwise straight pubescent boys gay.
Yigal Levinstein is not the only prominent Religious-Zionist rabbi condemning gays and lesbians: Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan Yaakov Ariel, one of the leaders of Religious Zionism, stated at a conference in Ramla last month that the members of the gay and lesbian community are "disabled people suffering from a real problem that must be solved with psychological and pharmacological treatments."
Ariel addressed Levinstein's statements on Sunday and stated that, though his style was blunt, Ariel identified with their content. "Our job is to strengthen the family," he said. "A normative family is a father and a mother and children. A non-normative family is not an ordered and proper family. It has psychological and other problems."
According to Ramat Gan's chief rabbi, pride in one's sexual orientation is unusual and presenting it as "progressive" causes many young persons to choose not to identify as straight. "Young boys going through puberty who are looking for their identity—instead of helping them to find their natural and normative identity, they push them to go in the opposite direction and ruin their lives.
"We must do everything to help them… There are medications, psychological treatment, and ways like this and others, medical or spiritual or explanatory actions."
Ariel claimed that Pride parades are what are creating legitimacy. "Being proud of this and receiving public legitimacy?! This is creating the problem! Have mercy on them," he exclaimed. "There's no place for Pride parades. What are they proud of? We need to find the proper and true way to deal with this issue properly. When a person doesn't have a natural connection to the opposite sex, this is a disability. Let's make this clear. He can't establish a normative family. So the disabled need treatment, need help—all of this is correct, but pride? What's the pride of the disabled? What's there to be proud of?"
Prominent Religious-Zionist Yaakov Ariel comments on Rabbi Yigal Levinstein's 'pervert' remarks, decrying gays and lesbians as disabled predators having nothing to be proud of who seek to 'turn' otherwise straight pubescent boys gay.
Yigal Levinstein is not the only prominent Religious-Zionist rabbi condemning gays and lesbians: Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan Yaakov Ariel, one of the leaders of Religious Zionism, stated at a conference in Ramla last month that the members of the gay and lesbian community are "disabled people suffering from a real problem that must be solved with psychological and pharmacological treatments."
Ariel addressed Levinstein's statements on Sunday and stated that, though his style was blunt, Ariel identified with their content. "Our job is to strengthen the family," he said. "A normative family is a father and a mother and children. A non-normative family is not an ordered and proper family. It has psychological and other problems."
According to Ramat Gan's chief rabbi, pride in one's sexual orientation is unusual and presenting it as "progressive" causes many young persons to choose not to identify as straight. "Young boys going through puberty who are looking for their identity—instead of helping them to find their natural and normative identity, they push them to go in the opposite direction and ruin their lives.
"We must do everything to help them… There are medications, psychological treatment, and ways like this and others, medical or spiritual or explanatory actions."
Ariel claimed that Pride parades are what are creating legitimacy. "Being proud of this and receiving public legitimacy?! This is creating the problem! Have mercy on them," he exclaimed. "There's no place for Pride parades. What are they proud of? We need to find the proper and true way to deal with this issue properly. When a person doesn't have a natural connection to the opposite sex, this is a disability. Let's make this clear. He can't establish a normative family. So the disabled need treatment, need help—all of this is correct, but pride? What's the pride of the disabled? What's there to be proud of?"
Yigal Levinstein
The rabbi explained his viewpoint: "A child needs to born to two parents, and the meaning is male and female. A child of two females, a child of two males—he is not a normative child. A child like this doesn't have parents, and I'm not talking about the psychological side, which is problematic of itself."
Ariel condemned the murder of Shira Banki in last year's Jerusalem Pride parade. He called it "a serious crime," but he hurried to clarify that he did not mean to grant legitimacy to the Pride parade: "Judaism rejects this approach. I won't go into the question if this is congenital or this is generated during one's life. It's obvious that there are some of each. In lots of cases, it's the result of mishaps that took place in the family during childhood."
Chotam, an organization that seeks "to return Judaism to the center of the public agenda," according to its website, has Ariel as its president. They released a statement saying, "The attempts to make those with opposite orientations the standard and the normative phenomenon, while putting natural families in the closet, are unacceptable and outrageous. It is bizarre that those values of openness and acceptance are in their mouths, those who manage an aggressive campaign of silencing rabbis who are expressing in a clear voice Judaism's position."
The non-profit organization Kamoha – Gay Orthodox Jew, commented on Levinstein's pronouncements, as well: "In both Jewish and general history, same-sex attraction is not considered as unnatural attraction. Judaism saw male homosexual acts as one sin amongst many, similar to the other sins connected to sexual misconduct, and not as a sin against nature. Only in European society of the modern era did they begin to see it as something unnatural, and that spread to Judaism, too. The Torah does not define naturalness, and it's hard to speak in the Torah's name in this regard."
Ariel's remarks follow a difficult week for the LGBT community in which the Be'er Sheva Pride parade was cancelled and homophobic remarks from the incoming chief rabbi of the IDF were uncovered.
The rabbi explained his viewpoint: "A child needs to born to two parents, and the meaning is male and female. A child of two females, a child of two males—he is not a normative child. A child like this doesn't have parents, and I'm not talking about the psychological side, which is problematic of itself."
Ariel condemned the murder of Shira Banki in last year's Jerusalem Pride parade. He called it "a serious crime," but he hurried to clarify that he did not mean to grant legitimacy to the Pride parade: "Judaism rejects this approach. I won't go into the question if this is congenital or this is generated during one's life. It's obvious that there are some of each. In lots of cases, it's the result of mishaps that took place in the family during childhood."
Chotam, an organization that seeks "to return Judaism to the center of the public agenda," according to its website, has Ariel as its president. They released a statement saying, "The attempts to make those with opposite orientations the standard and the normative phenomenon, while putting natural families in the closet, are unacceptable and outrageous. It is bizarre that those values of openness and acceptance are in their mouths, those who manage an aggressive campaign of silencing rabbis who are expressing in a clear voice Judaism's position."
The non-profit organization Kamoha – Gay Orthodox Jew, commented on Levinstein's pronouncements, as well: "In both Jewish and general history, same-sex attraction is not considered as unnatural attraction. Judaism saw male homosexual acts as one sin amongst many, similar to the other sins connected to sexual misconduct, and not as a sin against nature. Only in European society of the modern era did they begin to see it as something unnatural, and that spread to Judaism, too. The Torah does not define naturalness, and it's hard to speak in the Torah's name in this regard."
Ariel's remarks follow a difficult week for the LGBT community in which the Be'er Sheva Pride parade was cancelled and homophobic remarks from the incoming chief rabbi of the IDF were uncovered.
