Introduction and Purpose of The Torah Declaration on Homosexuality.
The current situation:
Over the past few years homosexual activists have infiltrated every aspect of the secular
world and have achieved acceptance in the media and most of the general culture. They have
been fighting fiercely on issues pertaining to the legitimacy of the homosexual lifestyle in all
aspects of society, including homosexual marriage, in order to gain full acceptance. The last
line of resistance against acceptance of the homosexual agenda has been mostly from the
religious communities.
Homosexual activists have now made it a top priority to convince the Orthodox community
that being a self-identified “Gay Orthodox Jew” is an acceptable lifestyle. They are trying to
perpetuate the false notion that a person can not control his “nature” and therefore should
accept his prohibited inclinations as something natural and normal that does not need to be
worked on and healed. Unfortunately, many Orthodox individuals have become confused on
this issue and have begun accepting some of these false notions.
The Torah community’s response:
A committee has been set up with the support of gedolim, rabbonim and mental health
professionals to counter this blatant attack on Torah values. A two page document titled:
Declaration on The Torah Approach to Homosexuality has been created. Gedolim and
rabbonim, including Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, are urging all rabbonim to sign this Torah
Declaration. Once the document has received a significant amount of signatures it will be
released to the public. Until its release, please keep this document confidential. The goal is
that this document should be a public statement from hundreds of rabbonim representing a
unified front on behalf of Klal Yisrael setting the record straight on this issue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Signed Torah Declaration can be faxed to – Fax # 888-762-7636
Questions can be emailed to TorahDec@Gmail.com
For those rabbonim who would like additional information we are happy to put you in touch
with 3 different resources that can answer any questions you may have on this issue:
#1 - Torah Approach: We are happy to put you in touch with gedolim such as Rav Shmuel
Kamentsky and other rabbonim to discuss the Torah perspective.
#2 - Healing and Psychological Approach: We are happy to put you in touch with Jewish and
Frum psychologists, therapists and counselors who have been working with the Orthodox
population for years and have successfully helped many individuals overcome their same sex
attractions and are now able to live happy and kosher lives.
#3 - Individuals With Personal Experience: We are happy to put you in touch with frum
individuals who have struggled with same-sex attraction and have gone through reparative or gender
affirming therapy and have successfully completed the healing work necessary to overcome their
same-sex attractions. They are willing to share their personal struggles, the healing and therapeutic
techniques and the joy and success this has brought to their lives. Many of these brave individuals are
now married with their wives full knowledge and support and are upstanding members of Klal Yisrael
living lives filled with kedusha and consistent with the Torah. Due to the sensitive nature of this issue
these individuals have agreed to meet in person or talk on the phone privately with known rabbinic
leaders who will protect these individuals’ identities and confidentiality while sharing their
experiences.
Introduction and Purpose of The Torah Declaration on Homosexuality.
The current situation:
Over the past few years homosexualactivistshaveinfiltrated every aspect of the secular world and haveachievedacceptance in the media and most of the general culture. They have been fighting fiercely on issues pertaining to the legitimacy of the homosexual lifestyle in all aspects of society,including homosexualmarriage,in ordertogain full acceptance. The last line of resistanceagainst acceptance of the homosexualagendahasbeenmostly from the religious communities.Homosexualactivistshavenow made it a top priority to convince the Orthodox community that being a self-identified“Gay Orthodox Jew”is an acceptable lifestyle. They are trying to perpetuate the false notion that a person can not control his “nature”and therefore should accept his prohibited inclinations as somethingnatural and normal that does not need to be worked on and healed. Unfortunately, many Orthodoxindividuals have become confused on this issue and have begun accepting some of these false notions.
The Torah community’sresponse:
A committee has been set up with the support of
gedolim, rabbonim
and mental health professionalsto counter this blatant attack on Torah values. A two page document titled:
Declaration on The Torah Approach to Homosexuality
has been created.
Gedolim
and
rabbonim
,including Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky,are urging all
rabbonim
to sign this Torah Declaration. Once the document has received a significant amountof signatures it will be released to the public. Until its release, please keep this document
confidential.
The goal is that this document should be a public statement from hundreds of
rabbonim
representing a unified front on behalf of
KlalYisrael
setting the record straight on this issue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Signed Torah Declaration can be faxed to –Fax # 888-762-7636Questions can be emailed to TorahDec@Gmail.com
For those
rabbonim
who would like
additional information
we are happy to put you in touch with 3different resources that can answer anyquestionsyou may haveon this issue:
#1 -Torah Approach:
We are happy to put you in touch with
gedolim
such as Rav Shmuel Kamentsky and other
rabbonim
to discuss the Torah perspective.
#2 -Healing and Psychological Approach:
We are happy to put you in touch with Jewish and Frum psychologists, therapists and counselors who have been working with the Orthodox population for years and have successfully helpedmanyindividuals overcome their same sex attractions and are now able to live happy and kosher lives.
#3 -Individuals With Personal Experience:
We are happy to put you in touch with frum individuals who have struggled with same-sex attraction and have gone through reparative or gender affirming therapy and have successfully completed the healing work necessary to overcome their same-sex attractions. They are willingto share their personal struggles, the healing and therapeutic techniquesand the joy and success this has brought to their lives. Many of these braveindividuals are now married with their wives full knowledge and support and are upstanding members of
KlalYisrael
living lives filled with kedusha and consistent with the Torah. Due to the sensitive nature of this issue these individuals haveagreed to meet in person or talk on the phoneprivatelywith known rabbinic leaderswho will protect these individuals’identities and confidentiality while sharing their experiences.
Declaration On The Torah Approach To Homosexuality
-----------------------------------------
Societal Developments On Homosexuality
There has been a monumental shift in the secular world’s attitude towards homosexuality over the past few decades. In particular over the past fifteen years there has been a major public campaign to gain acceptance forhomosexuality.Legalizing same-sex marriage has become the end goal of the campaign to equatehomosexuality with heterosexuality. A propaganda blitz hasbeen sweeping the world using political tacticsto persuade the public about thelegitimacy of homosexuality.The media is rife with negativelabels implying that one is “hateful” or “homophobic” if they do not accept the homosexual lifestyle as legitimate. This political coercion has silenced many into acquiescence. Unfortunately this attitude has seeped into the Torah community and many have become confused or have accepted the media’sportrayal of this issue.
The Torah’s Unequivocal And Eternal Message
The Torah makes a clear statement that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle or a genuine identity by severely prohibiting its conduct. Furthermore, the Torah, ever prescient about negative secular influences, warns us in
Vayikra
(Leviticus) 20:23 “Do not follow the traditions of the nations that I expel from before you…” Particularly the Torah writes this in regards to homosexuality and other forbidden sexual liaisons.
Same-Sex Attractions Can Be Modified And Healed
From a Torah perspective, the question whether homosexual inclinations and behaviors are changeable is extremely relevant.The concept that G-d created a human being who is unable to find happiness in a loving relationship unless he violates a biblical prohibition is neither plausible nor acceptable. G-d is loving and merciful. Struggles, and yes, difficult struggles, along with healing and personal growth are part and parcel of this world. Impossible, life long, Torah prohibited situations with no achievable solutions are not. We emphatically reject the notion that a homosexually inclined person cannot overcome his or her inclination and desire. Behaviors are changeable. The Torah does not forbid something which is impossible to avoid. Abandoning people to lifelong loneliness anddespair by denying all hope of overcoming and healing their same-sex attraction is heartlessly cruel. Such an attitude also violates the biblical prohibition in
Vayikra
(Leviticus) 19:14 “and you shall not place a stumbling block before the blind.”The Process Of Healing
The only viable course of action that is consistent with the Torah is therapy and
teshuvah
. The therapy consists of reinforcing the natural gender-identity of the individual by helping him or her understand and repair the emotional wounds that led to its disorientation and weakening, thus enabling the resumption and completion of the individual’s emotional development.
Teshuvah
is a Torah-mandated, self-motivated process of turning away from any transgression or sin and returning to G-dand one’s spiritual essence. This includes refining and reintegrating the personality and allowing it to grow in a healthy and wholesome manner.These processes are typically facilitated and coordinated with the help ofa specially trained counselor or therapist working in conjunction with a qualified spiritual teacher or guide. There is no other practical, Torah-sanctioned solution for this issue.
The Mitzvah Of Love And Compassion
It requires tremendous bravery and fortitude for a person to confront and deal with same-sex attraction. For example a sixteen-year-old who is struggling with this issue may be confused and afraid and not know whomto speak to or what steps to take. We must create an atmosphere where this teenager (or anyone) can speak freely to a parent, rabbi, or mentor and be treated with love and compassion. Authority figures can then guide same-sex strugglers towards a path of healing and overcoming their inclinations. The key point to remember is that these individuals are primarily innocent victims of childhood emotional wounds. They deserve our full love, support and encouragement in their striving towards healing. Struggling individuals who seek health and wellness should not be confused with the homosexual movement and their agenda. This distinction is crucial. It reflects the difference between what G-d asks from all of us and what He unambiguously prohibits. We need to do everything in our power to lovingly uplift struggling individuals towards a full and healthy life that is filled with love, joy and the wisdom of the Torah. ---------------------------------------------------------------------________________________________ __________________________________Printed Name Signature____________________ __________________________________________________Date Title, Congregation, Yeshiva or other affiliations.
FAQ –Frequently Asked Questions on the Torah Declaration
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question#1:
How do we know that G-d did not create someonewith a homosexual orientation that can not be changed?
Question #2 -
What about individuals who claim that they have sincerely tried to heal through reparative therapy but were unsuccessful?
Question#3:
Why is
teshuvah
necessary? What if a person never acted on his desires?
Question #4
-Why don’t we hear more from people who have successfully gone through the process of reparative therapy?
Question #5
-If people are not born homosexual, what is the cause of their homosexual inclinations?
Question #6 -
There are some that claim that the Torah only prohibits one homosexual act and that everything else is permitted. Is this true?
Question #7
-Why should Jewish people care about homosexual issues such as gay marriage for non-Jews? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question#1:
It states in the Declaration, “The concept that G-d created a human being who is unable to find happiness in a loving relationship unless he violates a biblical prohibition is neither plausible nor acceptable. [Difficult struggles are part of this world, but]…Impossible, life long, Torah prohibited situations with no achievable solutions are not.” How can you know for sure what G-d’s plan is for someone? People have all kinds of difficult lifelong struggles, how can you be sure that being an “unchangeable” homosexual is not part of G-d’s plan? Perhaps Hashem wants such a person to have a difficult life and nevertheless obey His commandments and stay celibate his entire life? How do you know that this is not one of the many difficult
nisoyens
(trials) that G-d sets out for people?
Answer#1:
This is a very crucial question because it touches upon our core understanding of Hashem’s relationship with us. It also brings up the question of how much we can actually understand about suffering in this world. In order to have clarity on this issue we have to define the kinds of suffering we are talking about and break them into separate categories.Let us start with two categories: #1
–Difficult situations where there is no desire that would violate Torah law, even if one falters due to his or her difficult circumstances.
#2
-Difficult situations where if one falters there is a direct Torah violation.Examples of
situation #1
would be someone who was born blind, without a leg or perhaps has cancer (
Hashem yerachim
). Those are truly tragic and difficult circumstances that can affect a person’s entire life and greatly limit some of the things that many of us take for granted. However, as difficult as such a life may be, there is no inconsistency with living a Torah lifestyle. In fact there are special dispensations within halacha to deal with the blind, disabilities and the terminallyill that take into account their circumstances and to guide them halachicly. In these situations there is no question of a compulsion to violate Biblicallyprohibited law. All the special circumstances are dealt with in a halachic framework. (I.E. doing a
melacha
(prohibited work) on Shabbos for a person with a medical emergency is not a Torah violation but rather a mitzvah, etc.)
Situation #2
would encompass someone born with a nature that will only be satisfied by committing a Biblically forbidden act. That could be someone born with an unchangeablemurderous bloodthirsty nature or hypothetically if we say a person is born homosexual and can not change, then in both situations the person seemingly can ONLY find satisfaction by violating a Biblical prohibition.We know this to be factually not possible based on the following
Gemaras
:
T.B. Avoda Zora 3a.
“Because the Holy One, blessed be He, does not deal imperiously with His creatures.” The
Gemara
explains that Hashem does not play cruel tricks on His creatures and create impossible situations that would cause Torah violations.
The Chofetz Chaim
uses this
Gemara
as an example why someone can not say that their desire for loshen hora is so strong that it can not be overcome. Hashem does not create impossible Torah situations that lead to violations.So how do we explain someone who was born with a bloodthirsty nature? How is that not a cruel trick being played on a person? The following
Gemara
explains how that works:
T.B. Shabbos 156a
If one was born under Mazal Mars, he will spill blood;
Rav Ashi:
He will be a bloodletter, bandit, slaughterer or Mohel. (He can channel his disposition for something neutral, for
Aveiros
,(negative)or for
Mitzvos
(positive).)“
The Vilna Gaon
in Even Shelaima 1:7,building on T.B. Shabbat 156a, implies that every [inborn] drive has some form of outlet thatis acceptable within Torah.”
[This Vilna Gaon quote is from Nishma.org]The following is a direct quote from a public letter written on July 4
th
2008 by
Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky
regarding homosexuality:
“Our Sages teach us that every human being is capable of changing for the better. Those who make the false claim that human beings cannot change their tendencies are comparing them to animals. Indeed it may be very difficult to change one’s nature, but it is definitely possible if one so desires.”
From these sources we see that situation #2, where someone is born with an inborn unchangeable drive to violate Biblical law is not possible. Hashem does not play tricks by saying something is forbidden, and then creatingpeople with a drive that only can be expressed with what He has forbidden to them. However, other struggles like situation #1 are possible and do not cause impossible Torah situations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question #2 -
Can everyone change their homosexual inclinations?What about individuals who claim that they have sincerely tried to heal through reparative therapy but were unsuccessful?
Answer#2:
Not everyone succeeds with their current therapy, but everyone is
capable
of healing. This statement is true for most struggles that humans deal with. Whether it is drug or alcohol addiction, weight loss, anorexia, depression or any other human struggle. There will always be individualswho don’t succeed with their therapy, but it’s not because they are not capable of healing, rather they may just not be in the right space to achieve healing yet. For some it requires hitting rock bottom to be in that space. For others they may just not have yet been in a space to release certain blocks. This is not about blame in any way, but rather the reality of why some people succeed and some people don’t. The fact that a person has not yet achieved healing, even after major effort, is not proof that they can’teventually achieve healing, or that they should stop trying.For example there is one individual who was 100 pounds overweight for most of his life. He struggled for 40 years with diets but was never able to successfully keep any weight loss beyond a short period of time. Then at 50 he finally lost the 100 pounds and 10 years later he has still kept the weight off. This individual sincerely wanted to lose weight all his life. His not succeeding for 40 years does not mean he is not capable of success. Itmeans that he was not in the right emotional/mental space to fully deal with the blocks that he had that were preventing success.Each of these situations are unique and may be different than Same-Sex Attraction (SSA). However, all issues that require healing or therapy have in common that many people succeed in achieving their goals and others don’t. To bring it back to SSA, one person struggled through therapy for SSA for seven years before achieving success. Can he have said after 5 years of major struggle that he is one of those individuals who can never change? At what point can we say that a person can’t deal with SSA successfully and should give up therapy? Perhaps an extended break is warranted or trying different techniques, but how can we tell the world that it is okay for some people to give up trying? How can there be any other message than
everyone
is
capable
of healing?When it comes to homosexuality from a Torah perspective there is no other option other than healing. The Torah commands us to seek health and wellness and to repair, refine and elevate any aspect of ourselves that conflict with the Torah. For some it may be a short term struggle, for others a longer term struggle. Either way no one is exempt from continuously striving for healing and living a kosher Torah lifestyle.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question#3:
The Declaration states that the process of healing is therapy and
teshuvah
. However, someone who has same-sex attractions but has never acted on it has done nothing wrong. Doesn’t including
teshuvah
imply that he has done something wrong, just by having those feelings?
Answer#3:
The Declaration is very sensitive to this concern and specifically worded it very carefully. The main focus in the declaration of the concept of
teshuvah
is as a holistic process of reintegration. Within the concept of
teshuvah
it is a two part process. The first as it states is, “turning away from
any
transgression or sin.” If someone has committed a transgression then the first step is to stop that activity. If someone has not committed any transgressions then this part does not apply to him at all. The second and most crucial part of teshuva is healing as the document states about the process of
teshuvah
, “This includes refining and reintegrating the personality and allowing it to grow in a healthy and wholesome manner.”
Teshuvah
is about a process of returning to ones true self and that is what is emphasized in the declaration. This applies to anyone who has same-sex attractions, regardless if they have acted upon it or not.This fits well with Rabbi Yosef Serebryanski’s explanation of the roots of
Teshuvah
:
“The word T’shuvah is composed of two words, “Tashuv” and the letter “Hey”. This means returning to Hashem. It has nothing to do with negative or bad, it is simply each person restoring their open connection and flow directly with Hashem -the source of all life and existence.”
We asked over twenty individuals who have struggled with this issue how they feel about the “Process of healing” paragraph and not one had an issue with it. They understood that this is not about “blame” but rather about a process of personal reintegration and returning to one’s true nature.In fact in the final section we specifically stressed that someone struggling with this is an “innocent victim.” As the Declaration states, “The key point to remember is that these individuals are primarily innocent victims of childhood emotional wounds.”------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question #4
-Why don’t we hear more from people who have successfullygone through the process ofreparative therapy?
Answer #4
-In theTorah Observant world there is a whole network of frum individuals who have gone through reparative therapy and have overcome their same-sex attractions. Many of these brave individuals are now married with their wives full knowledge and support and are upstanding members of
Klal Yisrael
living lives filled with
kedusha
and consistent with the Torah. These individuals are just like everyone else. Why would they want to publicize a difficult and private struggle in their lives? Despite this, many of these brave souls know how important it is to bring awareness to this subject and are willing to privately sharetheir personal struggles, the healing and therapeutic techniques and the joy and equanimity that successful change has brought to their lives. They have agreed to speak privately with anyone who is either struggling themselveswith this issue or with a Rabbi, teacher, or community leader who needs more information about this issue.If you fit into either of these two categories and would like to speak to someone who has successfully overcome their SSA, please email us with your specific situation and we can have someone contact you to discuss it further. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question #5
-If people are not born homosexual, what is the cause of their homosexual inclinations?
Answer #5 -
The Gemara in Nedarim 51a states that
To’eivah
(abomination)translates as
To'eh attah bah
–you are mistakenor being misledwith this(in our case with homosexual inclination). The most widely accepted theory, among those with the most experience in helping individuals heal, as to the root cause of homosexuality is that something has gone awry in childhood development. There are many possibilities and combinations of factors that may lead to same sex attraction. From emotional or sexual abuse, to having a sensitive nature while not being able to properly bond with a father figure or male peers. There may be other issues as well, but the underlying factor is that this developmental deficiency with male bonding may manifest in a desire to connect with males in an inappropriate sexualized way. One of the standard lines from homosexual activists is that they would never choose this voluntarily. They are correct in the sense that it was not a conscience choice to develop same sex attractions, but it is a conscience choice whether one chooses to heal from the underlying issue. No one consciously chooses to be overweight, but it is a choice and a possibilityto lose weight and to deal with the emotional factors that lead to overeating. Just because one does not consciously choose a struggle or difficulty, does not mean that one can’t choose to heal from it. For more information you can watch this excellent16 minute video that gives a detailed and easy to understand explanation of some of the root causes of homosexuality and how it develops in childhood.www.Homosexuality101.com
--------------------------------------------------------
Question #6 -
There are some that claim that the Torah only prohibits one homosexual act and that everything else is permitted. Is this true?
Answer #6 -
According to the Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch prohibited homosexual activity includes any non-platonic physical contact; even yichud (seclusion) with someone of the same gender is forbidden for homosexually active individuals.Rambam Hilchos Isurei Biah 21:1,2; 22:1,2. See also Shulchan Aruch Even HoEzer 24
(Info from TorahWeb.org)
----------------------------------------------------------
Question #7
-Why should Jewish people care about homosexual issues such as gay marriage for non-Jews?
Answer #7
-Homosexuality is forbidden for all people, including non-Jews, by the Seven Noahide Laws. The Rambam (Maimonides) is explicit that the prohibition of sexual immorality in the Noahide laws specifically includes homosexuality.
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, in Sefer Shoftim, Hilkhoth Melakhim u'Milhamotheihem 9:7-11
9:7 –“There are six types of sexual acts forbiddento a ben Noah: Intercourse with one's mother, with one's father's wife (who is not one's mother, i.e.: step mother), with another man's wife, with one's sister who has the same mother, with another male, with an animal…”Another Torah source that explicitly mentions homosexual marriage is the Midrash Rabba which states that homosexual marriage was the ‘straw that broke the camels back’ and brought the Great Flood to the world:“Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rebbi: The generation of the flood were not wiped out from the world until [men] were writing marriage contracts to males and to beasts.”(Midrash Rabba Breishis 26:5)-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Process of Healing
The only viable course of action that is consistent with the Torah is therapy and
teshuvah. The therapy consists of reinforcing the natural gender-identity of
the individual by helping him or her understand and repair the emotional wounds
that led to its disorientation and weaking, this enabling the resumption and
completion of the individual's emotional development. Teshuvah is a Torah-
mandated, self-motivated process of turning away from any transgression
or sin and returning to God and one's spiritual essence. This includes
redefining and reintegrating the personality and allowing it to grow in a
healthy and wholesome manner.
These processes are typically facilitated and coordinated with the help of
a specially trained counselor or therapist working in conjunction with a
qualified spiritual teacher or guide. There is no other practical, Torah-
sanctioned solution for this issue.
The Mitzvah of Love and Compassion
It requires tremendous bravery and fortitude for a person to confront and deal
with same-sex attraction. For example a sixteen-year-old who is struggling
with this issue may be confused and afraid and not know who to speak to or
what steps to take. We must create an atmosphere where this teenager or
anyone can speak freely to a parent, rabbi, or mentor and be treated with
love and compassion. Authority figures can then guide same-sex strugglers
towards a path of healing and overcoming their inclinations.
The key point to remember is that these individuals are primarily innocent victims
of childhood emotional wounds. They deserve our full love, support and
encouragement in their striving towards healing. Struggling individuals who
seek health and wellness and should not be confused with the homosexual
movement and their agenda. This distinction is crucial. It reflects the difference
between what God asks from all of us and what He unambigously prohibits.
We need to do everything in our power to lovingly uplift struggling
individuals towarda a full and healthy life that is filled with love, joy and the
wisdom of the Torah.
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