Comments on: Divisive and Bigoted

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:17:54 +0000

From another Rabbi, not Cuomo — let me ask, "why.
SANDY?". Not a very original question. In fact I have read the.
responses of several Rabbis and Rebbes. America was punished because.
the US supports gay marriage; there is too much licentiousness in.
America; not all Jewish women go to the Mikvah, America does not.
support Israel appropriately, etc. Hopefully you are as unimpressed.
with those answers as anyone with an intelligent soul would be.
Silence is more appropriate. HASHEM's ways are hidden and we simply.
neither know nor understand! It is better to be perplexed than to.
invent arrogant answers.

By: Elliot B. Pasik

Elliot B. Pasik — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:56:27 +0000

I appreciate the sentiments expressed here, most of which I share, but I will speak up for my chaver, Rabbi Leiter. His comments, spoken extemporaneously, were in the realm of thinking-out-loud musings, intended more for religious communities, than the world-at-large. Our own community can well understand the yearning of every believing Jew to try to understand the ways of Hashem. Why Sandy? Why natural disasters? Why do the good suffer? Why do the evil prosper? Why Holocaust? Personal and communal introspection are deeply ingrained in the Torah way of life. Some even keep a daily journal of activities. And, some of us let our guard down, and we think out loud, absent the necessary caveat, that at the end of the day, no one can truly understand the ways of Hashem. For most of us that caveat is a given, and need not be always expressed. I do not believe that Governor Pataki nor Governor Andrew Cuomo should have commented on Rabbi Leiter's statements. Those comments, to me, are the real story here. There was no call for violence nor any type of civil disobedience nor agitation in what Rabbi Leiter said. Not remotely. His radio interview remarks, which I listened to, were soft spoken, and clearly rooted in parshas Noach, and what we all believe in. Absent calls for violence and agitation, I believe it is highly inappropriate for leading public officials to entangle themselves into religious beliefs and affairs. This was no Father Coughlin speaking in the 1930s, nor Nation of Islam leaders Martin Farrakhan, nor Khallid Muhammed. Governor Cumomo's comments were actually put into an official press release on his web site. This is a chilling effect on what clergy and religious people want to believe and say. I, personally, within the limits of the law, without incitements to violence, or other mischief, very much want our rabbis and other clergy to speak their mind. Religious beliefs and idea, just like legal and political ideas, also need to be tested in the marketplace. In more than 30 states in America, where same gender marriage has been placed on the ballot for a popular vote, it has lost. Religious people vote. I think its legal now, in about 8 states, and in about 4 or 5 of those state, the legality came through non-democratic court decisions. Perhaps I should add here that as a working lawyer, and overall citizen, here in NY, I, and indeed all of us, have had many contacts with people of different orientations. These interactions have always, always, been civil, courteous, professional, and friendly. There is no bigotry involved in being in favor of traditional male-female marriage only. Same gender relationships also implicate serious health concerns, and use of limited health care resources. I believe that some elected officials, here in NY, and elsewhere, are suggesting that all pro-traditional marriage people are anti-gay bigots, and that is simply not so. All the Rabbi Leiters who believe in traditional male-female marriage should continue to express their opinions, in our democracy, without fear of being chilled by Statehouse press releases, and public embarrassment.

By: Elliot B. Pasik

Elliot B. Pasik — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:56:27 +0000

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:00:58 +0000

http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/u-s-rabbi-faces-dissent-for-slamming-obama.premium-1.478303

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:00:58 +0000

http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/u-s-rabbi-faces-dissent-for-slamming-obama.premium-1.478303

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:38:40 +0000

From a friend:… let me ask, "why.
SANDY?". Not a very original question. In fact I have read the.
responses of several Rabbis and Rebbes. America was punished because.
the US supports gay marriage; there is too much licentiousness in.
America; not all Jewish women go to the Mikvah, America does not.
support Israel appropriately, etc. Hopefully you are as unimpressed.
with those answers as anyone with an intelligent soul would be.
Silence is more appropriate. HASHEM's ways are hidden and we simply.
neither know nor understand! It is better to be perplexed than to.
invent arrogant answers.

By: Avery Salamon

Avery Salamon — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:16:47 +0000

Gilad?

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:07:11 +0000

And now ther eis the rabbi who asked "Is Galit Shalit frum (datei)?

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:07:11 +0000

And now ther eis the rabbi who asked "Is Galit Shalit frum (datei)?

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:50:16 +0000

So good to hear from you. And, glad you're still playing.
Lots to do to make this a better world!

By: Avi Shamir

Avi Shamir — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:49:27 +0000

Wow Michael Salamon, great to read some words of wisdom from my old guitar teacher after so many years. I still play the guitar… Your article is very applicable to what goes on in Israel, where unfortunately there is no separation between politics and religion. and some politicians blame every misfortune on secular Jews. This doesn't sit too well with guys like me who grew up in a traditional home. I hope all is well with you. – Avi from Beach 9th St.

By: Avery Salamon

Avery Salamon — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:38:19 +0000

It goes for all religions too.

By: Avery Salamon

Avery Salamon — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:38:19 +0000

It goes for all religions too.

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:37:05 +0000

From L.H. An astute observation – What a "Chilul HaShem"… no wonder this are so many "at risk"…

By: Michael J Salamon

Michael J Salamon — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:37:05 +0000

From L.H. An astute observation – What a "Chilul HaShem"… no wonder this are so many "at risk"…