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August 13, 2010 | 6:36 am
The Theological Implications of Brussel Sprouts –By Rabbi Hyim Shafner
Posted by Rabbi Hyim Shafner
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To be sure as Orthodox Jews we believe that God gave the Torah to be relevant for all times (yemot hamoshiach and the kashrut of bacon aside). Often it is argued that it can not be the case that something in nature has changed which would render something in the torah to no longer be true or observable. For instance, it is often pointed out in kiruv circles that the torah states that a pig is the only animal which has cloven hooves but does not chew its cud and since the Torah is true not only has another animal never been found with such criteria but one never will. From what I am told this is utilized as one of the many proofs of the Torah’s divine truth by many orthodox outreach organizations.
Another example: It is widely claimed in many segments of the Orthodox community that homosexuality must result from nurture and not nature. This is so, it is claimed, because God gave the torah for all times, so it must be the case that everyone can in theory marry someone of the opposite gender. Indeed the torah commands “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.” Since the Torah forbids homosexual acts and commands heterosexual marriage it must be the case that all Jews are able to be or at least act heterosexual with the right help.
Why is it then that kashrut organizations can forbid certain vegetables, telling us there is no way to check them for bugs and we do not bat an eye? Does not the torah tell us in Birashit that all the “growing things are for you to eat?” If the torah is applicable for all times and there is no way to check brussel sprouts for bugs why doesn’t this bother us theologically as much as claims for the genetic etiology of homosexuality? Is it perhaps that a culture has developed among us whereby when it comes to forbidding something we have no problem expanding the torah, but when it comes to finding ways to include and permit we do? Perhaps the case, as Rabbi J. Telushkin has said, “Though Hillel wins in the Talmud, it is Shami who wins in Jewish life today.”
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The flaws in this essay are marvelous to behold.
> Since the Torah forbids homosexual acts and commands heterosexual marriage it must be the case that all Jews are able to be or at least act heterosexual with the right help.
If a Jew had a strong urge to eat pork or shellfish - not just a hankering but a really overwhelming internal demand - would that make it okay?
If the local mall had a really good sale on for one day this week - Saturday - and you really, really, really needed a new pair of shoes that would only be available then, would that make it okay?
While there is no doubt that the sexual drive is extremely strong in nature and that in homosexuals the idea of sex with a woman is completely unappealing, it is nevertheless the command of God that he marry a woman and procreate. Yes, he has a strong drive to have sex with other men. Does that make it okay?
> This is so, it is claimed, because God gave the torah for all times
The Torah nowhere discusses nature vs nurture in homosexuals. (Incidentally, the field of research is so poisoned by liberal politcal correctness that such a study could never be honestly done. Imagine the screams of “homophobia!” if it was determined that nurtuer is, in fact, a major factor) It simply says that bacon is forbidden and a man has to procreate with a woman. Done.
It’s one thing to feel sympathy for those who drives are pushing them in the wrong (not alternative) direction, quite another to think that the strength of those drives means the Torah doesn’t apply to them.