tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post5373904669471286392..comments2024-03-20T06:29:27.167-04:00Comments on The Rabbi with a Blog (Rabbi Jason Miller): Barack Obama, Marriage Equality and Lag Ba'OmerRabbi Jason Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-65027313689496936832012-05-15T10:10:12.630-04:002012-05-15T10:10:12.630-04:00In your previous thread about this matter, I point...In your previous thread about this matter, I pointed out that if you are going to allow homosexual "marriages" then you are going to have to allow polygamy. I am aware that many Progressives will claim "that is different" because supposedly it exploits women. However, that is no argument for several reasons. First of all, what if the women involved want it and accept it as it is. Doesn't the same "kvod habriot" argument used to justify homosexuality apply here? Doesn't it mean that the Torah is obligated to give its permission, because otherwise people will be unhappy which undermines their "kvod habriot" as was argued in the case of homosexuality?<br />Secondly, Muslims still allow polygamy and wouldn't it be cultural imperialism and judgmentalism to not allow them to have it in previously monomgamous countries like the US? And if the Muslims can have it, why not everyone else, including Jews?<br />Thirdly, Judaism allowed polygamy down to modern times among many of the Eastern (Sefardic) communities. One could argue there is no halachic basis for banning it, at least among their communities if not among the Ashkenazim. Since this would be a case merely of reinstating a permitted custom, this is certainly more easily accepted by the Conservative and Reform movements than regarding the case of homosexuality which is prohibited in a quite strenuous way, according to the Torah tradition.<br />Thus, if homosexual "marriage" is going to be sanctioned by the Conservative movement, there is NO logical reason how it can ban polygamy.....and once the Muslims get it in the US, there is no doubt that liberal Jewish movements will have to follow suit.<br />This is the inexorable logic of the situation.Y. Ben-Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-53547667399257630042012-05-11T10:31:06.697-04:002012-05-11T10:31:06.697-04:00Thank you, Jason, for lending your support to the ...Thank you, Jason, for lending your support to the president for his courageous statement. Now the work to bring our efforts to fruition really begins. We need to keep this effort alive and move it forward. We need to not become complacent. The law has not yet changed. Everyone in the Jewish and secular community needs to journey, as did Rabbi Miller and President Obama, from darkness to light, to learn about the humanity of LGBT people, and to understand that we all deserve to have equal recognition for our committed relationships under American law. We all need to vocally support our president, NOW!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12544209821685223589noreply@blogger.com