London – The Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks has finally broken his silence on gay and lesbian marriages and opposed government plans to introduce it.
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In a submission to a Home Office consultation, the London Beth Din (the Chief Rabbi’s court), and the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue, stated that same-sex unions were “against Jewish law”.
In contrast to the vocal support given by the Reform and Liberal movements to equality in marriage for same-sex couples.
The statement said: “Marriage, by definition in Jewish (biblical) law is the union of a male and a female. While Judaism teaches respect for others and condemns all types of discrimination, we oppose a change to the definition of marriage that includes same-sex relationships. Jewish (biblical) law prohibits the practice of homosexuality.”
Civil marriage for same-sex couples should be rejected because, they said, “any attempt to redefine this sacred institution would be to undermine the concept of marriage”.
Each branch of Judaism in the UK will speak with its own voice. Its not clear which group has the most influence with the current government.
why not call it something else, civil union, and give them the same rights as married couples
I think it is significant that the article read “finally broke his silenc”. If anyone can mount an eloquent argument for the sanctity of the Biblical institution of marriage it is Rabbi Sacks. And yet, he may have been reluctant to get involved. You see, everybody is a mere “pawn” when it comes to what the Talmud predicts will happen before the redemption finally arrives.
Ban this in your own synagogue. Jews do not preach morality. Just intelligent honorable ways of discourse.
What’s the chidush here? You thought maybe they would approve it?
Jews do not preach morality?!? That’s been our role in the world since Avraham Avinu.
Very disappointed with the Chief Rabbi for feeling he needs to get involved in something which is nothing to do with Jews,
I dont understand why it took so long for them to say something, besides, Rabbi Sacks is resigning soon, he can afford to let his hair down” a bit, with fear of the repercussion it may bring.
Am I not right in thinking that there is a difference between homosexual acts which are clearly forbidden in halacha and lesbian acts which are not. Every yirei shomayim is revolted by both modes of this type of sick conduct but when dealing with the outside world we have no need to go further than what basic halacha says. There is no middos chassidus by goyim.
Its Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve!
Its pretty clear in the Torah that there is no room for compromise or interpretation on this one.
The current Chief Rabbi, like his predecessor, has been appointed a Lord.
What he says carries weight beyond the Jewish community, and it is for the good that he has spoken on this contentious issue.