Scary Bible Scholar Speaks At YU; MO Rabbis Says Same-Sex Couples Can Raise Children; A Horizontal Plane

A new blog from an old friend, a leading MO rabbi on same sex marriage and…

…a scary Bible scholar speaks at YU-Stern:

1. Horizontal Plane, a new blog from Ben Atlas.

2. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin says same-sex couples can raise children, but should not marry.

3. Controversial (in Orthodox circles, that is) Bible scholar James Kugel speaks at YU-Stern, and tries desperately to not shake the faith of MO's finest. (Transcript.)

Comments

[Yochanan Lavie]

APC: See my reply on the old thread. It's great sparring with you. You give my brain a workout.

[Jason]

Some very interesting articles. Thanks for the links Shmarya. I particularly found it interesting to read the reactions of the students and Rabbi Dr. Cohen
When asked about the controversial aspects of Kugel's work, Dr. Cohen asserted: "It is true that Professor Kugel's views on biblical authorship are not those of traditional Orthodoxy and that, no doubt, is the source of the controversy. However, in my opinion, Yeshiva University's educational ideals demand that we not limit ourselves to learning only from those who share our precise hashkafa [religious outlook]."

and compare it to the attitudes of people like Archie, for whom any deviation from standard Orthodox orthodoxy immediately and irrevocably invalidates any opinion that person holds. Very refreshing.

[Shmarya]

Jason –

Rabbi Dr. Cohen's views are NOT echoed by YU's rabbis: Hershel Schachter, Mordechai Willig, etc.

[Nachum]

Really, Shmarya? Have you asked them?

somtimes i wonder if riskin is a man or a women

[ah-pee-chorus]

Yochanan Lavie : you are more than a worthy opponent. (or you are a more than worthy..) i've responded in kind. you possess a far greater span of knowledge than i. but i'll blame my yeshiva education.(it makes me feel better)

[Shmarya]

Really, Shmarya? Have you asked them?

Do you have any evidence they endorse Kugel and his work or that they encourage learning it?

[Shneerhere]

I don't consider Kugel 'scary' at all. I don't agree with him, but 'scary'??
Alternate, perhaps. He doesn't advocate abrogation of the Mitzvot nor Halacha. One can still learn from him.

[Yochanan Lavie]

APC: The worthiness is all yours.

Now, When is YU gonna invite Dr. Chulent.

[JewishCynic]

>"Rabbi Dr. Cohen's views are NOT echoed by YU's rabbis: Hershel Schachter, Mordechai Willig, etc."

I'd guess it would be tough for someone in REITS to endorse someone known for opining the torah is a work of man not god.
I commend YU for allowing someone known for such a view to speak there. (I don't see that R. Schachter etc tried to stop Kugel.)

[JewishCynic]

Surprised there hasn't been more comment on R. Riskin.
Just reading there was an official discussion of "Orthodox Judaism and homosexuality" surprised me.

Whether is's 1% or 10% there are going to be those in the ortho community with homosexual preferences. It's time for ortho leaders to take their heads out of the sand and learn how tho handle it.
I think unwillingness to face up to the existence of homosexuality has helped some sex offenders continue their abuse (no, being homosexual does not make someone an abuser).

Religeous jews have to deal with many urges that are forbidden of restricted by the torah. Indeed heterosexual activities are heavily restricted. It's performance of a forbidden act that is a problem, not the urge. Nevertheless I wouldn't recommend that someone with a powerful urge to eat cheeseburgers get a job in McDonalds.

I briefly looked at the "Orthogay" site WSC linked to (in the "Beis din overturned" thread).
Problem I have there is the attitude toward anal sex. It is not ok to say "I'll be an ortho jew in all ways except I'll have gay anal sex" (can you be an ortho gay w/o anal? - that awaits further discussion!)
You cannot redefine judasm as having 612 mitzvot. Clearly gay anal sex is a violation of the torah.

Sure, ortho jews violate mitzvot but that must be seen as a violation subject to heavely justice. You cannot rewrite the torah to allow the sin of your choice.