tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post7125143696050073314..comments2024-03-29T12:19:15.378+03:00Comments on Daas Torah - Issues of Jewish Identity: Hillel college organization vilifies those who hold Torah view of sexual orientationDaas Torahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07252904288544083215noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-44922474121290733612008-06-17T06:06:00.000+03:002008-06-17T06:06:00.000+03:00Once upon a time in a busy metropolitan city there...Once upon a time in a busy metropolitan city there was an Orthodox shul that served the older people who had lived in a neighborhood that was once Jewish but had become run down and crime ridden. <BR/><BR/>As the world of real estate ebbs and flows, this down and out area attracted attention for its funky architecture and twisting streets. The old buildings were bought up and restored. Cafes, shops and clubs opened to cater to the new, more affluent residents who were mostly homosexual men. <BR/><BR/>Many of the men who moved into the neighborhood were Jewish and quite a few of them had been raised in observant homes and the shul was suddenly full of young men who enjoyed the atmosphere of a traditional Orthodox shul. <BR/><BR/>Committing an aveira does not mean that a person should be prevented from doing a mitzvah or should not be encouraged towards observance. Judaism does not require that we be perfect. <BR/><BR/>The great thing about an Orthodox shul is that men and women sit separately so no one can tell who came in with whom. <BR/><BR/>Homosexual behavior is nothing new. Neither is adultery, intermarriage, incest or bestiality; all of these are mentioned in the Humash. <BR/><BR/>As Jews we accept other Jews of all types, just as the spice mixture (ketoret) used in the Holy Temple was a compound of eleven different spices.<BR/><BR/>The reading of the ketoret that is part of the Shacharit and Mincha prayers does not deal with the actual process of offering the ketoret, but rather with how it was made, i.e., its ingredients and preparation.<BR/><BR/>Now, it may seem strange to recite a recipe as part of the prayer service. Obviously, though, if our Sages made it part of the service it must be special. <BR/><BR/>The Arizal wrote that reciting the ketoret with care is very helpful for coming back to live a proper Jewish life, even for one who is stuck in a black hole of sin.<BR/><BR/>The ingredient that makes this possible is chelbenah (galbanum), a rather foul smelling gum resin. Nonetheless, it is essential for the ketoret which contained 19% of its total weight! <BR/><BR/>Much happens in life that we pray will go away or that we would prefer to deny or ignore. If these things remain chelbenah, they will make our life stink. Everything we do will be tinged by a chelbenah odor.<BR/><BR/>Living life with such an approach, denying ignoring or enabling the unpleasant, has very serious drawbacks. In those times when we have to handle chelbenah our discontent pushes us away from Hashem. The opportunities to come closer to Hashem cannot be used to their full potential because of a cloud hanging overhead in our relationship with Hashem.<BR/><BR/>There are many times in life to which denial is the wrong response when we are confronted with our own failings. Whether the failure was "just that one time" or has been with us as far back as we can remember, denying it or ignoring it, does not make it go away. <BR/><BR/>Someone may have a propensity to shed blood. Wouldn't it be best if he just buried this part of his personality? No. If he does, it will surface in a negative way. He has to work this attribute into the ketoret so that his desire for blood leads him to mitzvot, ie. becoming a shochet. (see Shabbat 156a).<BR/><BR/>Preparing the ketoret was not easy. It had to be weighed out, rubbed, soaked and well ground. It required someone to supervise the grinding. On the other hand, it didn't have to be done all at once as long as the spices were kept in proper proportion.<BR/><BR/> Instead of trying so hard to change the Jewish religion to conform to what we are in our human failings, we should instead incorporate the best and the worst of ourselves into giving Hashem the joy He created us to give Him, and may we see the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash soon, in our days. Amen<BR/><BR/>Adapted from Likutey Halakhot, Pru u'R'vu 3:5<BR/>From Likutey Moharan II, Lesson #23<BR/><BR/>Breslov Research Institute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com