This is a guest post by Sarah Brammer-Shlay. Sarah is currently finishing up her last semester at the University of Minnesota, double majoring in Jewish Studies and Political Science.
On November 6, 2012, we, in the state of Minnesota, will be voting on the issue of legalizing overt discrimination. Minnesotans will vote on the “Minnesota Marriage Amendment” which would amend our constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
Same-sex marriage is already illegal in the state of Minnesota and if this amendment does not pass, it will continue to be illegal, nothing will actually change. However, if this amendment does pass, it will write in our constitution that two people who love each other and want to commit to each other will never have that possibility, for all future generations, because they are both of the same sex.
Constitutional amendments are nearly impossible to reverse; therefore we have one shot to stop this discriminatory amendment.
I am a straight woman, so what does this amendment have to do with me?
I am also a Jew; what does that aspect of my identity say about this type of proposal?
The answer I have found to this question is my Jewishness tells me voting “No” in November is the way that we as a people should vote. The reasoning for this is two-fold: our texts and our history.
Flipping through my “Jewish Study Bible” I come across the book of Exodus and find an extremely relevant verse to this amendment.
You must not carry false rumors: you shall not join hands with the guilty to act as a malicious witness. You shall not give perverse testimony in a dispute so as to pervert it in favor of the mighty…
You shall not subvert the rights of our needy in their disputes. Keep far from a false charge; do not bring death on those who are innocent and in the right, for I will not acquit the wrongdoer…
You shall not oppress a stranger for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:1-9)
We have the opportunity right now to step up and say that the Marriage Amendment is wrong and as Jews we will not stand for this.
We should not stand by, as witnesses when our country, “land of the free”, is not granting equal freedom to all of its citizens.
We have the responsibility as Jews to look out for other people, but also because our communities overlap, as many Minnesotan Jews are also members of the GLBT community.
Responsibilities can imply a consequence; in this verse we read, “I (G-d) will not acquit the wrongdoer.” We, as Jews, are held responsible for injustice we allow in our societies. G-d is loving, G-d is merciful but G-d also holds us accountable. Our accountability connects with our history and the last part of this verse, “You shall not oppress a stranger for you know the feelings of the stranger…” We have been strangers, we have been wanderers, and we have been the ostracized.
That brings me to my second point of our history playing a vital role in our necessity of voting “No” in November. Our Jewish history is full of lack of security, not knowing our home and not knowing where we are accepted.
This past summer I spent two months traveling around Europe. At the end of the summer I reflected on the “Jewish” aspect of this trip. In almost every nation I visited and tours I participated in, locals would speak of the history of WWII, constantly emphasizing their nation as one that was better to the Jews. For example, the city of Amsterdam stressed its emphasis on tolerance, a society that gave most rights to Jews.
But I do not want to live in a society that gives “most rights” to some of its citizens, I want to live in a society that gives all rights to all citizens; that is a free country.
I have begun to phone bank with “MN United for All Families,” the umbrella organization fighting to defeat this amendment. After the volunteers make phone calls, we debrief. A couple of weeks ago at the debriefing one individual raised his hand and said that someone he spoke to said that, “all Gay people should be lined up and shot.” My jaw dropped, my mind immediately went back to Europe, to a society where Jews were simply lined up and shot. Do I really think that this man on the other line will line up gay individuals and shoot them? I don’t know, I will say probably not.However, when our political language promotes second-class citizenship to GLBT individuals, how do we expect our citizens to also not label these individuals as second-class citizens?
Our country went through a shock last year, as week after week we read of young gay individuals taking their lives because it had simply gotten too hard. I, as a Jew, understand the necessity of the seemingly more powerful to use their voices to intervene in discrimination.
I write to you, the Jewish community of the Twin Cities, to think about this issue and think about how the history of the American GLBT community relates to our history as Jews, in Europe, in this nation and all over the world.
Voting “No” on November 6 is the Jewish thing to do, our texts that are constantly being interpreted and questioned tells us so and perhaps more importantly the history of our people tells us that partial rights is simply discrimination.
I hope to see you on March 4th from 2-5 PM at Adath Jeshurun Synagogue in Minnetonka, where we hope to gather 500 Minnesotan Jews to listen, discuss and organize around the November Minnesota Marriage Amendment and why we as Jews must defeat this amendment.
Halakha states definitively that a marriage can only be contracted between a man and a woman and that throughout the Torah, the definition of “man” and “wife” is “male” and “female”.
Same sex “marriages” cannot occur in Judaism, since homosexual behavior is forbidden in Jewish Law, therefore, such marriages can never be consummated, and can never be Jewish.
I write to you, Miss Brammer-Shlay, not to promote the fraudulent legal and anti-Jewish concept of “same sex marriage”. It has never existed in American jurisprudence and it has never existed in Judaism.
Nachman, you really need to wake up. In America as in Judaism, we don’t discriminate those among us who are different. You are free to adhere to any reading of Torah and Halakha in your own home. But when your personal OPINION of what is Jewish and what is legally acceptable directly impinges on others’ rights, as is the case here, I respectfully call on you keep it to yourself.
Since when is Torah personal opinion?
Is it personal opinion or biological fact that two people of the same sex can *never* consummate a marriage and can never procreate? It is that opinion or is it actually biologically impossible?
Marriage, Mr. Stern, which has been clearly understood across cultures and across thousands of years, is defined as a man and a woman joining together to procreate, establish a family, and raise the successive generation. This is an objective fact, not an opinion.
It is also a fact, Mr. Stern, the two parent, male and female, monogamous couple is the foundation of our culture, whether you wish to admit it or not.
And I will respectfully tell you I’m not going to shut up.
1. It is your opinion when countless rabbis disagree with you. I’ll stick to my rabbi’s interpretation of the torah over Nachman the TCJewfolk renegade.
2. Again, your definition of marriage is not the definition of everyone. Just because you don’t believe that two people should love and respect each other before getting married doesn’t mean that it’s wrong. I ask again about the millions of heterosexual people who choose to marry and choose not to have children. Their marriages are no less important, sacred, and Jewish than yours or mine.
3. If the foundation of our culture is your definition of marriage, then G-d help us all. Over 50% of marriages (your definition) end in divorce. Many more people (including orthodox Jews) are absolutely miserable in their arranged marriages, but fear the archaic repercussions of divorce.
Here are just a couple of recent cases that fall into your definition of marriage:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/marriage_holy_war_tyfZMjU8fVFyuOdIlvm6iI
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/was_hasidic_jew_but_broke_free_IeRSVA4eX8ypg4Ne8cBdSK
And let’s not forget all of the adultery – rampant everywhere, but also among those who so easily claim to be bastions of “traditional” marriage. So as many others have said, let’s give gay people a shot. Maybe they can improve on something so clearly broken.
Mr. Mandel asserts that “countless Rabbis” disagree with the standards of Torah. I invite him to start listing the count of Rabbis that agree with his position as opposed to the number of actually countless Rabbis that have held the opposite belief throughout the thousands of years of Judaism.
Mr. Mandel uses the fallacy that an exception can make a rule. It does not. That a certain number of couples cannot conceive does not alter the objective truth that marriage is the act of a man and a women to join to form a family unit, to procreate, and to raise the successive generation.
Mr. Mandel resorts to the projection that I am a “renegade”. The of Mr. Mandell – and of TC Jewfolk in general – concerning “same sex marriage” is actually the “renegade” view and is outside of even the most fundamental beliefs of normative Judaism.
Mr. Mandel asserts the interesting opinion that since marriage is in such trouble, it should be redefined to include same sex couples. This defies logic on two points:
1. If marriage is such a broken, failed institution, why would homosexuals want to participate; and,
2. It is impossible for members of the same sex to be legitimately married, since members of the same sex cannot consummate a marriage and cannot procreate, which is biologically essential for human reproduction.
Here you go Nachman – This includes 35 rabbis and 15 synagogues and organizations right here in Minnesota. A simple search of the wonderful internet will provide you with dozens and dozens more across the country. As states continue to do the right thing (Maryland is next by the way), more rabbis will be outspoken and in favor of marriage equality.
“Dozens of Minnesota rabbis have gone on record opposing the proposed marriage amendment, urging “all Minnesotans of conscience and faith” to vote against the change to the state constitution that would define marriage as a union between a man and woman.
The Minnesota Rabbinical Association, made up of 35 rabbis and 15 synagogues and groups representing the MAJORITY of the state’s Jewish population, announced Monday they had signed the statement that was adopted on Jan. 18.
The rabbis’ statement says the amendment “seeks to continue the practice of leaving individual families within the LGBT community vulnerable and unprotected by the law. To honor an individual is to fight against discrimination in society for any reason, including race, religion, natural origin, gender, age or sexual orientation.
“Throughout history the Jewish community has faced discrimination, and therefore we will not stand by while others are targeted.”
If that isn’t good enough, have a listen to Rabbi Kravitz from last week. Maybe he can knock some sense into you.
And again Nachman, I’m not talking about women who cannot have children. I’m talking about people who get married and CHOOSE not to have children. According to the last U.S. Census, there could be 20 million people who fall into that category – easily more than the amount of Jews on this planet. And again, their marriages are no less valid than yours or mine. Marriage is not just about procreation – many millions of people with LEGAL marriages are proof of that. Legal by US law and legal by Jewish law. It’s true Nachman – some people actually love their spouses and aren’t using them just to pop out a starting lineup.
And let me end this comment by answering your question:
“If marriage is such a broken, failed institution, why would homosexuals want to participate?”
Answers:
1. Because homosexuals are human beings and should have the same rights as everyone else.
2. Because as silly as it is (and only for a few months more in Minnesota), a marriage certificate entitles only a portion of the population to basic human dignities.
3. As I said, maybe homosexuals can improve on something that is obviously in need of improvement. Don’t make me produce a list of accomplishments by homosexuals because I will.
4. Because it’s 2012. Enough already.
“Because it’s 2012”.
Translation:
“Let’s party like it’s 1885.”
Didn’t quite work out for Reform Jews in Germany.
Last time I checked, Eichmann didn’t ask who was reform or otherwise. We were all the same.
But glad you completely ignored everything else I said – I’m sure it was tough for you to be left speechless.
Maryland: 8 states down, 42 states to go.
And yet another rabbi showing his support:
Rabbi Daniel Burg, a Conservative rabbi and spiritual leader of Beth Am Synagogue, is outspoken in his support of the measure. In fact, on Dec. 3, 2011 he gave a passionate sermon entitled: “The Religious Case for Gay Marriage” and is making it clear to congregants and the community alike where he stands.
“It’s an important issue for the Maryland community, the Jewish community and religious people in general. Not only is it worthwhile to speak up for gay and lesbians, but there is a false dichotomy that exists between faith and progressive values. Some religious people say “This is what the bible says about homosexuality” and that is final. Actually, faith can be quite nuanced. Literal interpretation of the Torah can sometimes lead to misinterpretation of its meaning.”
How anyone can “misinterpret” the word abomination is to stretch reason to the breaking point.
I wonder what Rabbi Burg would say about human sacrifice or punishing a man for the sins of another. Or any other prohibitions in Torah.
There is nothing more for us to discuss.
My point: pretending to be like the goyim didn’t work for the Reform movement in Germany. 1885 was the year of the Declaration of Principles (or the Pittsburgh Platform).
It was sarcasm, Mr. Mandel. Trying to adopt the practices of some goyishe homosexualist belief that members of the same sex can get “married” only separates Jews from Judaism and our traditions that have sustained us for thousands of years, despite all the attempts to destroy us.
Mr Mandel wrote:
“I’m sure it was tough for you to be left speechless.”
I realize that you and your fellow ideologues believe that you have more wisdom, and knowledge than G-d, Torah, our Sages, and the experience of our people throughout the thousands of years. It is that shameless conceit, hubris, and arrogance on your part and of the movement that you and apparently TC Jewfolk are part of that I find so appalling.
At least visitors to this site will see there are Jews that won’t be part of this averah. The line in sand has been drawn.
If you consider equality for all human beings “goyishe”, then I truly feel sorry for you.
It is your arrogance and your closed-mindedness that breeds contempt for the good Jews of the world – the Jews who stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, (you can read that in the torah by the way). It is why American Jews have always stepped forward when human dignity and civil rights were questioned. And why we will continue to do so – irregardless of your minority opinion.
And sorry Nachman, rabbis all over the country, hundreds of thousands of congregants, and I are no less Jewish because we’ll be voting NO to this amendment and others like it.
What actually separates Jews from Judaism is the vitriol that comes from people like you.
Another important point, and this goes to the core of this argument: I have yet to hear one person at this site give a halakhic justification or rationale for “same sex marriage”.
Just say the word Nachman – I’m sure at least one of the 35 local rabbis would be happy to tell you what I’ve already said. They might even pepper the conversation with some Hebrew words if that’ll make you feel better. I only have broken Yiddish to offer beyond English.
I may not have the years of talmudic study that Nachman does, but I understand that in Judaism we have a principle that preserving life is most important and therefore trumps other halakhic jurisprudence.
Why is this relevant here? Because people are dying, Nachman. Young folks all across the country are killing themselves because they live in communities that discriminate against them. Rolling Stone recently published an article detailing the horrific effects of communal discrimination in our own state, a situation that is rightly considered an epidemic.
If we enshrine second-class citizenship for gays in our state constitution, we will send a clear message that they are less than heterosexual citizens and many more lives will be lost.
You are right, Nachman, that marriage is the foundation of our society and a central pillar in Jewish communal development. This amendment locks gays outside the sacred space of marriage, refusing to allow them to reap and produce the myriad social and legal benefits of marriage. It clearly communicates to every gay Minnesotan that they do not have the right to be a part of our society, and for many folks, that is a death warrant.
The principle that life is sacred and must be protected at all costs clearly trumps whatever halakhic justification you are standing on for denying marriage rights to gay people, however valid it may be. Rabbis and other leaders in the Jewish community understand this. I encourage you to see the logic here and join us in opposing the anti-Marriage amendment. Lives hang in the balance.
Mr. Stern wrote:
“This amendment locks gays outside the sacred space of marriage”.
The amendment is a check and a balance against judiciaries that will issue an edict by lawyers in robes who belief they have a duty to impose social policies upon the people without their consent.
I have no idea where this same sex marriage nonsense came from. Right out of left field. There was never any “right” for two homosexuals to get married to each other, in halakha or in Western civil society, ever.
Your “death warrant” and “lives in the balance” assertions are hyperbolic rhetoric.
The Rabbis will have to dance around the Torah to justify this one – the same way some of them dance around to rationalize their political views on other social issues.
When I saw this story on the local news I assumed that I was going to hear, yet, another religious group voting yes. I am so unbelievably thankful and grateful (albeit embarrassed for the assumption) that the Jewish community in Minnesota is recognizing outright discrimination. You’ve done the right thing for all minorities.