Q&A: Autonomy
Autonomy
Question
I saw in one of the Rabbi's answers here on the site, regarding a girl who discovered she was a lesbian, that what goes on in her bedroom is her business alone, and her family should not interfere in that matter.
My question is this: how does the Rabbi reconcile that approach with everything written in the sources? After all, it is clear from them that matters of sexual relations are not a person's private business. Should we hope for a situation in which the crown is restored to its former glory and the community and the religious court intervene in these intimate matters, or should we want the current situation to continue, in which these matters are not the concern of the community and the religious court?
Answer
First, I did not write a general principle; I was referring to that specific case. Second, lesbianism is not a matter for a religious court, since it is doubtful whether there is even a halakhic prohibition involved, and it is clear that there are no religious-court punishments here. Third, I wrote that in relation to our own times and to the family in our time, not to a situation in which there is a religious court.
If you are asking what I hope for: from my current perspective, I certainly would be glad if a religious court did not intervene, but it is hard to discuss a hypothetical situation. Perhaps when the entire Jewish people observe the commandments and are committed to Jewish law, the situation will be different, and then intervention by a religious court will indeed be correct and appropriate. I am not in favor of judging situations that are unfamiliar to us.
Discussion on Answer
Moshe, I suggest you read what they wrote to you today in the question "Lesbianism," at the end of the thread, and respond.
Everyone can express his opinion… that's acceptable to meeee, and they're right. We go by the majority. I'll save you the trouble in the future of criticizing my views… that's my response. No more than that.
Everyone can express his opinion, and my opinion is extreme, but Torah-based: the Land of Israel does not tolerate any impurity. All these things defile it, and if we permit this, it will consume us all. Hear the word of the Lord, rulers of Sodom; give ear to the Torah of our God, people of Gomorrah. “Why do I need your many sacrifices? says the Lord. I am sated with burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; the blood of bulls and lambs and goats I do not desire. When you come to appear before Me, who asked this of you, to trample My courts? Do not continue bringing worthless offerings; incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, calling of convocation—I cannot endure iniquity with solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed times My soul hates; they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. And when you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even if you multiply prayer, I do not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, purify yourselves; remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes; cease doing evil. Learn to do good, seek justice, uphold the oppressed; judge the orphan, plead for the widow.”
Prayers in a state of disobedience to God and His Torah leave the Holy One, blessed be He, no choice, and He will hide His face and punish us severely. The imagery of Sodom and Gomorrah is not for nothing! It points to adultery, promiscuity, violence, and LGBT sexual deviance. Whoever deviates should simply live abroad. A pure Torah does not flow with impurity in any way. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Do not bring ruin and destruction into the city. As Isaiah foresaw before the First Destruction, and no one listened to him. If a flame has fallen among the cedars…? “Your princes are rebellious, companions of thieves.” “How the faithful city has become a harlot (=Jerusalem); it was full of justice, righteousness lodged in it—but now murderers. Your silver has become dross, your wine diluted with water. Your princes are rebellious, companions of thieves; every one loves bribes and pursues payments. They do not judge the orphan, and the widow's cause does not come before them.”