Advice on Leviticus, please
ADVICE
on LEVITICUS, PLEASE
This anonymous open letter,
wrongly attributed to University of Virginia professor James Kauffman,
was written in response to Dr Laura Schlesinger, a popular broadcaster
and observant Orthodox Jew, who, citing Leviticus 18:22 on
her radio show, condemned homosexuality as an abomination.
The text below has been circulating on the internet since0 and is definitely worth a read…
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.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements
of God's Laws and how to follow them:
- Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male
and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A
friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians.
Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
- 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?
- I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she
is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The
problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women
take offense.
- When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it
creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my
neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to
them. Should I smite them?
- I have a neighbour 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?
- 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?
- 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
wiggle-room here?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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 (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'm confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and
unchanging.
Your adoring fan.
(It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian :)
