http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/16/bbc-africa-have-your-say

bernie madoff should be released and praised for raping stupid people of their money.

anyone know where to forward funds to help bernie buy cigarettes while incarcerated?

Wow you’re simultaneously attacking me on two different pages. We’ll have to stop meeting like this.

You say that I claim to be supportive (of gays) but in fact mock you. This is not true nor do you have any evidence for saying this unless you’re confusing me with the lusty methodist minister with whom you worked. If you knew me I’m sure you’d find many justifiable reasons to dislike me, but mocking gays is not one of them.

As far as finding it hard to tolerate gay expressions of love and affection, guess we’re talking about public snogging, you’re right but here I do not discriminate and find seeing straight couples “going at it” in public equally distasteful. Before any old Hasmos call me a hypocrite, you’re right and I guess it’s connected to getting older.

Have a great day gcantory!

DM

I was hoping to avoid the question you raised as I may be misunderstood, but I’ll try anyway.

You seem to be quite well informed and indeed we do occasionally hear rabbis and other religious leaders who seek to offer a cause and effect relationship between the sins of man and the acts of G-d (as they perceive them). I can’t remember all the cases but sometimes we hear that terrorist attacks are the result of immodesty etc. Neither can I claim that these are a fringe of unknown rabbis. Such statements have been made by those who are considered Gedolei Hador or the greatest of our generation too.

I would, however, say two things. Firstly, the rabbis and leaders who make these statements are for the most part haredim. They are neither my rabbis nor my leaders and there were those of their predecessors who, a generation ago, made similar connections between the advent of modern Zionism and the holocaust. On Tisha Ba’av at minchah we all read, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Of course we also believe that there is reward and punishment in this world and the next world, we just don’t claim to be able to understand all of G-d’s thoughts and ways.

Secondly, we ought to be intellectually consistent here. Some people are quick to condemn those who claim to explain G-d’s punishments, but have no similar problems when it comes to His rewards. I recently heard the story told of a woman who couldn’t have children and then began to look after other people’s children for free. The storyteller smiled and concluded by telling us that G-d rewarded her with a son of her own. It was a heartwarming tale but if we are to be consistent we should condemn that judgment no less.

On a wholly unrelated note, I happened to be chatting with an ex-madricha of yours this morning. She said that she remembers you as being very good looking (and sweet too). I know that you don’t “swing that way” these days but I figured that after the age of 40 you take your compliments where you find them.

Regards

DM

It’s that kind of venomous hate that the less sophisticated, misinformed, and mentally challenged with a chip on their shoulder (we know who we’re talking about on this blog!) take as justification to spew out their pent up prejudice and hostility.

I meant no offense or assertion with regards to the event in question. Indeed, you already wrote “Without any “however”s or “but”s I join together with every other decent Jew in mourning the victims of the terrible murder together with the others who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

And yup Mark my friend. I really do believe my way is one of tolerance & love and I also believe that the Torah was G-d-given and I don’t second guess my maker.

I’m not going to change my views because others lack “knowledge, wisdom, or sophistication” – yup it’s a complicated world and I don’t choose to oversimplify it just so I can’t be quoted out of context:
“If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,”

Furthermore, while not taking it personally, I do take offense at your final rhetorical question. Did you for a moment think that I wouldn’t speak out against the murder of innocent people?

By the way, I just saw the news and the impression I got was that the police are not assuming that it was a religious bigot or even necessarily a hate crime and that all possibilities are being investigated. I do not believe that the murder was the result of a haredi misunderstanding halachah. I may be wrong, often am, but:

1. A haredi is recognizable with or without a mask. Beard, peyot, clothes, etc.

2. Most haredim neither have automatic rifles nor know how to use them.

3. Motzei shabbat seems an “unlikely” time for a haredi to act.

4. Where did he get the intelligence?

Nor do I care if I’m right or wrong. I say now, whoever it is, religious or secular, gay or straight, left or right. No more psychiatric evaluations. Chuck him/her in prison (after trial) and throw away the key! Is that clear enough for you?

On June 15 09, Daniel wrote “…and it is hard to argue as the Torah itself says: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.””

Daniel, it’s crystal clear how this verse would allow any Torah following person to ridicule, demonize, and dehumanize gay, lesbian, or transgender human beings.

I understand your rationalization – other sins are also punishable by death, punishment isn’t enforceable at the current time, etc. However, I fear that many don’t share your breadth of knowledge, wisdom, or sophistication.

That’s plain to see by the plethora of orthodox rabbis who claim earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural calamities to the sins of homosexuals and people of color, as well as others.

When will you and other like minded orthodox Jews speak out against this kind of idiocy and hate?

In relation to your assertion that I was “literally begged by many to remove the postings”, I was asked by Nick Kopaloff and Michael Goldman. And I explained (above) why I decided not to.