Comments on: The bodies we are

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 11 May 2007 14:25:47 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful post. Though it sounds harsh to me, I can find no way around the text other than to take it at face value: it’s talking about people who are bodily maimed or crippled.

But hope springs from YHWH’s promise: “The eunuch should not say, ‘I am only a dried-up tree.’ For here is what YHWH says: ‘As for the eunuchs who keep my Shabbats, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant: in my house, within my walls, I will give them a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off’ ” (Yeshaya 56:3-5).

By: Noa

Noa — Thu, 10 May 2007 22:40:32 +0000

I encourage everyone to read this very pertinent talk on Leviticus, by Angela J. Davis, with important lessons on public health and abortion.
The link is: http://www.jewsonfirst.org/how.....html#davis
In her profound interpretation of the portion called Emor of the book of Leviticus, the third book of the Torah, Davis acknowledges that the book is widely used by “religious leaders who would consign gays and lesbians to eternal damnation and politicians who would consign them to second-class citizenship � or worse. There is also plenty in Leviticus to offend feminists and all who champion gender equality, as well as individuals with disabilities…”
But, she says, Leviticus’s “approach to public health in which our leaders do not arrogate to themselves a supernatural understanding, but instead look unflinchingly at human illness and suffering is an urgent message for our time.” Davis considers that message in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision outlawing a medical procedure for abortion — and in light of her family’s experience with the Tay Sachs genetic mutation; babies born with this mutation all die a painful death.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 02 May 2007 19:33:35 +0000

“In the days of the sacrificial system,” you write, and then, “In this week�s portion,” and I can’t help thinking that the text in all its imperfections is being made whole, year after year, through such loving vivisection.

By: Rachel Barenblat

Rachel Barenblat — Wed, 02 May 2007 16:21:14 +0000

Mark, I can certainly empathize with the theological barrier created by this passage — and would love to hear more about the program you work with, at some point. Thank you for your comment & your engagement.

Matthew, thanks for the kind words; I appreciate them very much.

By: Matthew Gindin

Matthew Gindin — Wed, 02 May 2007 12:59:32 +0000

A beautiful and courageous drash.

By: Mark Crenshaw

Mark Crenshaw — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:29:16 +0000

This is quite a difficult text indeed. I work with a program that seeks to help congregations and people with disabilities collaborate to create environments where people with disabilities can fully participate in the life of faith. This is one of the passages that has created theological barriers over the years. I thank you for your honest reading and response to the text.

I have read your reflections here and at VR often and am commenting for the first time. Thank you for your work.