Netherlands – The chief rabbi of Amsterdam, Aryeh Ralbag, was temporarily relieved from his post Wednesday by the board of the Orthodox Jewish community, after he signed a document describing homosexuality as an inclination which “can be modified and healed.”
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Ralbag, a US-born Orthodox rabbi nominated to head the Amsterdam community in 2005, had recently cosigned the document titled “Declaration On The Torah Approach To Homosexuality,” which called on “authority figures” to “guide same-sex strugglers towards a path of healing and overcoming their inclinations.”
“Rabbi Ralbag’s signature may give the impression the Orthodox Jewish community of Amsterdam shares his view,” a press release by the community’s board, known the NIHS, read. “This is absolutely untrue. Homosexuals are welcome at the Amsterdam Jewish community.”
Ronnie Eisenmann, chairperson of the board, added: “The community regrets that the chief rabbi cosigned this document and distances itself from this view.” He also offered “heartfelt apologies to anyone who may have been hurt by the rabbi’s signature.”
“The board has decided to (temporarily) relieve the chief rabbi from his duties, in any case until he travels to Amsterdam to discuss the issue.”
Esther Voet, former editor-in-chief of Dutch Jewish weekly Nieuw Israëlietisch Weekblad, supported the decision to relieve Ralbag of his duties. “I think it’s the only right position because the policies of rabbi Ralbag have come repeatedly under scrutiny for a while now.”
Voet, currently vice-director of CIDI – the Dutch Jewish community’s watchdog on anti-Semitism – said there was a cultural gap between the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community of Brooklyn and the relatively liberal Dutch Orthodox community. Her organization called on Ralbag to step down as chief rabbi on Tuesday, following his signature on the document.
“The Dutch Jewish neshoma (soul) is unique. We have special rules, like waiting only one hour before eating meat and dairy. We need a chief rabbi who is aware of our traditions and that’s something you cannot fly in two times a year,” she said.
Content is provided courtesy of the Jerusalem Post
He should put his Triangle K hechsher on that p’sak.
No special rules, there is only one Torah for all Jews.
Why is this character, who is connected with a corrupt beis din in the US, still the “chief rabbi” in Amsterdam when there are native-born Chabad shluchim as well as another local rov who are far more capable and who do so much more for Dutch Jewry even as its numbers dwindle? What is his connection to Holland?
Are they saying that it is incurable or that it OK? If the latter, what makes them Orthodox. In any case, I fail to see how is is over on not making homosexuals welcome. On the contrary, he is calling for the community to help them. I also fail to see the connection between how long one waits between meat and milk.
“The Dutch Jewish neshoma is unique” Is she kidding us? We have a Toirah that teaches us that acting upon homosexuality is abhorrent – thus, one with inclinations should get him/herself treated. The one hour wait time from fleishig to milchig argument, is like comparing apples to oranges. The one hour wait time was established by talmidei chachamim.
Rabbi Ralbag did the right thing and stood up for what was right. In fact – Rabbi Ralbag was rather compassionate and realistic, by confirming that homosexual inclinations DOES exist among us.
If the “orthodox” community will let him go because of this, they should drop the word”orthodox” from their title and switch it to “reform” for the sake of honesty, or – if they would like they can can take up the name of “The Dutch Jewish Neshoma is Unique Orthodox Community” so at least they won’t confuse others.
Why in the world do they need a rabbi, if the board is to decide Halacha? ? ? And to kudos to you rabbi, you are being Mekayem LO SUGORU MIPNEI ISH Klal Yisroel needs more like you.
I don’t understand why some of the comments here are critical of the rav. He did exactly the right thing by signing that document (with many, many chashuv rabbanim).
It really seems some people just like to find fault everywhere.
As far as this Voet person in Holland, – she has to learn that there is a huge difference between a minhag ha’makom and a clearly stated d’oraisa.
Lol. We have one Torah and that guides us. The eibishter didn’t tell us to do something that is impossible.
something is missing here. From the article it aperars He is trying to cure them not condone them.
I respect your point of view (when’s the last time anyone read those words on this site?). But I’d like to make three points:
1. Some of these marriages do work.
2. No one is forcing anyone.
3. People can love each other w/o physical attraction.
4. Do you have evidence that these couples suffer from “chronic infidelity and mental health problems”?
5. These couples marry not just to be accepted by their communities, but to raise a family while still observing the Torah.
I agree that the arrangement is bizarre, but if the people involved are mature and doing it for the right reasons, this may well be the best solution. The alternative is complete celibacy, no soul mate, and no children.
It is an abomination. It is written in the HOLY TORAH and it will never change
For all Kellerman fans out there “One Fine Day The Rabbi Took A Stand”.
There is a difference between saying an act is prohibited by the Torah and opining as to causation and “cure,” assuming one is needed. The Rabbi is within his rights to state that the Torah prohibits specific acts. However, he is overstepping his boundaries when he calls it a problem or claims it can be cured, considering the vast majority of psychiatrists and psychologists disagree with him on both counts. The Torah calls eating shrimp a toeva, too. It means don’t do it, not that you have a psychological problem if you eat a lobster roll. Is cheating on weighing vegetables, which is called toeva in D’varim, also an inclination that can be healed?
Is this Heter Meah Rabbonim Ralbag? Is this gerus leshem kessef Ralbag? Why the Dutch Orthodox Jewish Community ever appointed him is a total mystery. To put it at its most charitable the man is clothed in controversy and allegations of every sort of halachic maneuvering. The community was previously led by an erliche Rov. Since he left the whole character of the kehilla has changed. Shame.
Kol Hakovod rabbi!!!!!!! as far as homosexuality is concerned it cannot be “CURED” in most cases…..its nature that’s corrupted and producing screwed up dna their are species of animals as well that go homo nowadays. when we corrupt the earth nature itself gets corrupted and that is why one cannot walk down the streets of any metropolitan city without seeing 2 faygalach walking by
I’m really unclear what exactly happened.
Is the community accepting that homosexuality is good?
I think that the Torah gives us guidelines on how to have balance in our character and our lusts.
We’re not supposed to be without food, we’re not supposed to overindulge. We’re not supposed to be without wine, but we’re not supposed to overindulge…
When it comes to the great motivator of thought and action, the carnal desire, we’re supposed to mitigate it but not eliminate it. We have laws that cause us to be disciplined, so that we don’t descend into the animalistic lifestyles of boundless lusts, because in so doing, we can never elevate our consciousness out of our most basic physical desires, and will never progress, as individuals or as a collective.
Not everything that you want to do, should you do. Not everything that you do, should you do openly….
The key to change is the recognition of good and bad, so that we can re-orient ourselves in the right direction. Only then may we progress.
I do believe that people can cause themselves to want whatever they want to want!
“Dutch Jews” and Rabbi Rabbag are not out of sync. The CIDI is a self-appointed Foundation, which tries at every opportunity to serve as a mouthpiece for the Jewish Community. They have a consistent anti-torah viewpoint, and have found another opportunity to justify their existence. She called Rabbi Ralbag’s stance “disgusting” in the secular press.
Rabbi Ralbag has merely gone along with the leading Orthodox Rabbis in America to state “Daas Torah”. The Kehilla is extremely worried about losing their 80% non-frum members. By issuing their statement, they have put the Frum members on notice that a Rav who even concurs with “unpopular” Daas Torah is not welcome. We will probably have to resign from our 375 year old Kehilla because of this. Speak of Chillul HaShem…