tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post1819654945144354894..comments2024-03-20T06:29:27.167-04:00Comments on The Rabbi with a Blog (Rabbi Jason Miller): Yes, An Orthodox Rabbi Can "Do" a Commitment CeremonyRabbi Jason Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-83842246047551201332012-01-09T16:08:50.933-05:002012-01-09T16:08:50.933-05:00David, you should read more carefully. I don'...David, you should read more carefully. I don't think anything of the sort. In fact, I argue all the time against people who think exactly the wrong idea that you're imputing to me.<br /><br />My objection, as I said, is solely limited to (a) the fact that it was done by someone with Orthodox smicha, (b) it was done in public, and (c) it was done in a synagogue. And (d) the fact that Conservative dudes think they have anything to say about this.<br /><br />It's between each of us and God to deal with what we do in private. It's none of anyone else's business unless they shout it from the rooftops. And "I'm gay" does <b>not</b> mean "I do things against Jewish law." I know men who have said that they don't engage in that act, some of whom don't simply because they don't like it. The "common knowledge" that it must be going on is stupid, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't suggest that I support that stupidity.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104724066252254654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-44550706488326357502012-01-09T12:29:22.804-05:002012-01-09T12:29:22.804-05:00I'm a gay Jewish man, civilly married to a sha...I'm a gay Jewish man, civilly married to a shaygets (OK, a Unitarian-Universalist. Frankly, if he was a devout christian, I'd have had a problem, but we've been together for 35 years) in the People's Republic of Massachusetts. So, the comments don't necessarily apply to me personally (I've apparently stepped way over the line), but I feel the need to defend my more observant Jewish gay brothers and sisters from irrational prejudice. <br /><br />To say that the three previous comments are bigoted and ignorant doesn't begin to express the dismay I feel on reading them. The "RIDICULOUS" (quoting you Chloe) and the absurd notion that the men involved are incapable of following what is specifically prohibited in Torah is bigoted, judgmental and bizarre. Your notions of what all gay men do sexually, and certainly what Orthodox and Conservative gay men do sexually is simply wrong. In a sense, you've been watching too much cultural porn. Porn is not real life sister.<br /><br />Lisa seems to think that all gay men indulge in male-male intercourse, which is also wrong. Lisa also has a laundry list of things other Jews should not comment on unless they are Orthodox. Best of luck Lisa.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-55129421629234390052011-12-20T10:46:19.496-05:002011-12-20T10:46:19.496-05:00Do either of you think their sexual activity or la...Do either of you think their sexual activity or lack thereof is affected in any way by the ceremony? Look, I'm extremely opposed to the fact that the ceremony was done in public, officiated at by a person with Orthodox smicha, and done in a synagogue. I think all three of those were poor choices. Unacceptable, in my view. But as far as your assumptions about their sexual activity, the fact of the matter is, you're both talking like you think they were "saving themselves" until after the ceremony and that it's the ceremony that's creating a potential problem. And that's just silly.<br /><br />All that said, I think it's kind of silly for two Conservative rabbis to be weighing in on whether something is right or wrong from an Orthodox perspective. More than silly, really. Offensive. I don't imagine they enjoy hearing Orthodox rabbis weighing in on questionable Conservative choices, like abolishing mamzerut, permitting Kohanim to marry converts and divorcees, or allowing the desecration of Shabbat (driving) in order to maintain membership numbers at Conservative synagogues. Not cool, guys.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104724066252254654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-42730989737147841902011-12-16T08:51:39.484-05:002011-12-16T08:51:39.484-05:00So to be clear - they are getting married legally,...So to be clear - they are getting married legally, having a "commitment ceremony" under a Chuppah, want to "spend their lives together, raise a family and grow old with each other in a loving way", but there will be no sexual acts?AEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-54796010982828439862011-12-16T08:47:15.575-05:002011-12-16T08:47:15.575-05:00okay...regardless of what you think about this iss...okay...regardless of what you think about this issue, the suggestion that since he isn't officiating a ceremony in which two men have sex, he hasn't violated anything in the Torah is RIDICULOUS because you and I and he all know what those two men are going to do later on. Come on. Be reasonable.ChloƩ Simone Valdarynoreply@blogger.com