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Showing posts from January, 2013

The Queerness of Love: A Jewish case for same-sex marriage

The queerness of love: A Jewish case for same-sex marriage BY RABBI GIL STEINLAUF Follow JewishJournal.com on  11 Rabbi Gil Steinlauf Last year, I officiated at the first same-sex wedding in the 145-year history of my synagogue.  For a Conservative congregation, this was quite a break with tradition.  Nevertheless,  I was proud to stand beneath the wedding canopy with this couple, who affirmed the sacredness of their union “in accordance with the laws of Moses and the people of Israel.”  Before I chose to officiate, I studied the texts, teachings, and arguments in my tradition.  I didn’t make this decision lightly.  Today, I am unfazed by the apparent biblical injunction against homosexuality as an “abomination.”  I am confident in my stand, despite a 3,000-year-old tradition that has no precedent for such a marriage.  In fact, it is from a place of humility and awe before my tradition and God that I have chosen take this stand. The Hebrew word for wedding is “Kidd

Huffington Post: The Idolatry of Guns

Rabbi Gil Steinlauf Senior Rabbi, Adas Israel Congregation GET UPDATES FROM RABBI GIL STEINLAUF   Like The Idolatry of Guns Posted: 01/07/2013 2:56 pm React Amazing Inspiring Funny Scary Hot Crazy Important Weird Follow Gun Control  ,  Judaism  ,  Scripture Commentary  ,  Newtown Sermons, Prayers and Poetry  , Prayers And Poetry  ,  Gun Violence  ,  Idolatry  ,  Newtown School Shooting  ,  Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting  ,  Scripture Study  ,  Religion News SHARE THIS STORY 2 4 0 Submit this story "Guns don't kill. People do." I keep hearing this phrase repeated by gun-supporters. It sounds so reasonable. Even wise. In fact, it's a misuse of a truth in the service of a dangerous set of beliefs and principles. People indeed do the killing, but this idea implies that more handguns are the only answer to the fact that people kill. If you take this philosophy t