New York – Dear Majority Leader Skelos,
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Despite the heated rhetoric from same-sex marriage activists who indiscriminately challenge anyone who opposes the radical redefinition of marriage,we all still have an obligation to respectfully stand up for timeless values- no matter the political cost.
As identifiable Jews, members of my community are no stranger to discrimination in the workplace and on the street. Our tortured history includes intolerable racism, even leading to Genocide and yes, it was our grandparents who were forced to wear a yellow Star of David on their coats while the world conveniently looked the other way. Jews are tragically all too familiar with bigotry and hatred and understand well the pain and scars borne of intolerance. There should be no doubt that Orthodox Jews unequivocally condemn bigotry in any shape or form.
Which is why we are dismayed that our opposition to the proposed same- gender marriage legislation is being defined, in certain circles, as homophobic hatred. This mischaracterization could not be further from the truth. In fact, it is insulting and painful for anyone to slanderously cast the Orthodox Jewish community as intolerant simply because we morally oppose redefining an institution that marks its genesis since time immemorial.
To callously paint communities of faith like ours, as bigoted, is akin to calling the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a supporter of the Ku Klux Klan. It is simply an outrageous and polarizing slander being used to demonize us for respectfully and consistently opposing same -gender marriage on legitimate, bedrocked principles and not on hyperbole or demagoguery.
Mr. Majority Leader, as our representative, you are no stranger to our community and over the years have personally witnessed our deeply held commitment to faith and tradition. This same commitment permeates countless other faith communities across our great state.
Same-gender marriage is simply not compatible with the timeless values and principles this country was founded on, no matter the heft and political muscle the gay lobby might wield at this particular moment.
Additionally, all people of faith have serious and well founded fears as to how religious organizations and individuals might be viewed by NY State, a state that has always been so hospitable and accommodating to religious freedoms, should this highly controversial bill become law. The effects and by- products of this bill could be disastrous for all religious people including you and your own community, Senator.
How ironic it would be if the NY State Senate, under your distinguished leadership, would become the first Republican- led legislature in the nation to pass same sex marriage. With deep respect, I urge you and your colleagues to hold the line and vote no to same-sex marriage and protect the sanctity of traditional marriage. History will record our actions during this emotional and difficult time.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Chaskel Bennett
Chaskel Bennett is a writer and community activist. He serves on the boards of several communal organizations.
Why do we care what the Non-Jews call marriage, we don’t care what they believe in or how they defined G-D and religion,
We don’t want them to start dictating to us how to behave based on their religions, so I don’t understand why we are mixing in to this issue on religious grounds?
Please enlighten me on this for I do not understand.
Thank you.
Wow, cue the violins.
I’m not a big fan of gay marriage, but we’re not talking about forcing rabbis to officiate between same-sex partners under a chupa. Since, by definition, no Orthodox rabbi is going to officiate at a gay wedding, I’m not sure that this legislation has much of an impact on Jews…
This is getting to be a joke. Expending all these political chits on an issue which has little real-world impact on yidden is really sad. A more “timeless value” for yidden is taking care of the hungry, homeless and sick yet Cheskele is worried about what some gay men do in their bedrooms. Enough already. Clearly gay marriage is contrary to daas torah and everyone knows that but this issues is framed in secular terms as a civil rights issue and thats how the votes will be obtained. Please lets move on to real issues.
Your argument has merit. However, not speaking up can give the impression of condonation — besides which many of our own may misinterpret our silence.
The solution is for the govt to abolish marriage entirely. Marriage is a convent between a couple. At a time when most marriages aren’t worth the paper there
What if there was a law that Jews would have to follow the style of Christian marriages in some way, wouldn’t we ask the Christian majority in this country to overlook their religious beliefs and allow us to marry as we please?
Why don’t we apply the same idea to our religious opinion to this issue?
Because of our beliefs we should definitely not support this bill, but due to the separation of Church and state I don’t think we should be involved in opposing it.
As I said previously:
“This is NOT a civil rights issue.
Gays have EXACTLY the same right to marriage as everybody else. They are CHOOSING not to exercise their right to marry.
This perversion that they want us to start calling marriage is just as “illegal” for heterosexuals as it is for gays.
How can you possibly compare this to something where a right is denied only to a specific section of the population based on race or gender?”
Simply put: How can you call it discrimination or a rights violation when they have the same rights as everybody else?
While the letter is well intentioned (and well written), it reeks of arrogance and impudence (chutzpa). The ‘orthodox Jews’ this article claims to represent, voted in droves for Mr. Cuomo, who made it clear in his candidance what his policies would be regarding gay marriage. The same Orthodox Jews who besmirched and maligned Karl Palladino and his opposition to the gay lifestyle and marriage.
Ironically it was Dov Hikind, who now weeps at the advancement of the gay agenda who protesetd AGAINST Karl Palladino… and is still a Democrat…!
I must say, Chatzkel, you are an effective spokesman. I am impressed by the style you chose for this very public letter. To many people in this fight, if you will, have taken upon arguments that are steeped in emotion, which while they feel are effective due to its nature-are actually counter-productive.
You managed to bring the backlash and use it to prove that we are 100% committed to civil right, because, after all, how could we not? After this point was established, you articulated your points in a humane fashion, one that is steeped in tradition. You managed to show that we are not opposed to human rights while arguing your case. Hopefully a good argument like this wont be lost.
Chaskel, thank you for putting yourself out there in voicing our community opinion. My only concern is that you seem to think that Mr. Skelos really represents your best interests. He represents whatever is en vogue…just like any other politician. Your article is also very vague as to real reasons why he shouldn’t support the legislation. It’s time we realize that the “change” posited by our President affects everything. There is no concept in todays world of age-old practice. We are a society in search of expanding the definition of freedom. Once we will be totally free…only anarchy can reign.
If this law takes effect, can two brothers marry?
Two sisters?
Father and son?
Mother and son?
What about one man and two sisters?
Who decides? Albany? Cuomo? Democrats?
The author writes “NY State, a state that has always been so hospitable and accommodating to religious freedoms.” Part of that freedom has to be letting people of other religions, or of no religion, have full equality. Just because WE think they have to follow the laws of b’nai Noah doesn’t mean that THEY think they do. BTW The law as passed by the Assembly this week states specifically that no clergy can be compelled to officiate at any marriage.
The fact is that after gay marriage comes incestual marriage rights followed by polygamy marriage followed by beastiality marriages. Why should they discriminate against a brother who wants to marry his sister. And why cant a man marry seven wives or a woman marry seven men. And why cant a man marry his dog. It would give the dog free vetenarian visits as it is this mans new wife. And what will happen in the divorce courts when one gay cheats on another gay. The entire concept is dangerous and it will allow the Islamic population to take over America without firing one shot. And in Israel where the secular Israelis copy America and are programing their public schools into this grave sin,is it any wonder why in heaven they sent Obama to take away the land from pre 1967. If we dont keep Jerusalem holy than the arabs will have it and THEY wont allow gay parades. WAKE UP yidden and realize this is the most dangerous issue of our times.
When you want one guy to go to h***, you scream “Gay in der erd!”
When you want two guys to go to h***, you scream “Gay Marriage!”
When you want a whole society to go to h***, you scream “Gay Pride!”
Dear Mr. Chaskel Bennett,
Very well written.
However there is a very critical point that you missed.
‘The 7 Noahide Laws’ which are US Public Law 102-14 forbid homosexual behavior. Legalizing a union like this and calling it a marriage is simply uncivilized and reactionary.
Also, many of the Lesbian couples have children. Psychological findings of the past 45 years have clearly stated that a child cannot grow properly with a same-sex couple (Confusion, fear, depression..etc.). Even though there are ‘straight’ same-sex couples rearing a child this is also unhealthy. By giving a government ‘imprimatur’ to this they are harming children more because society thinks it’s legal and therefore ‘good.’
The kids can’t fight back. They want a mother and father just like their present ‘parents.’
So, who really loves children more than money and power?
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