On
her radio show Dr. Laura Schlesinger said that for an observant Orthodox Jew,
homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be
condoned under any circumstance.
The following
is an open letter to Dr. Schlesinger penned by a US resident, as posted on the
Internet. You may think it funny, but I find it quite informative.
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for
doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law.
I have learned
a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many
people as I can.
When someone
tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that
Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate. Its in
the Bible - end of argument!
I do need some
advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how
best to follow them.
1. Leviticus
25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are
purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to
Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like
to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and
age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that
I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual un-cleanliness
- Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most
women take offence.
4. When I burn
a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the
Lord - Lev. 1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not
pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a
neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. Clearly states he
should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I
ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of
mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it
is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
Are there ’degrees’ of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20
states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight.
I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or
is there some wriggle room here?
8. Most of my
male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples,
even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from
Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I
still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle
has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same
field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of
thread of cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.
Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole
town together to stone them? Lev. 24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death
at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws?
(Lev. 20:14)
I know you have
studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such
matters, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again
for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.