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54

April 26 • 2018

jn

have to admit, I wanted to take
the easy road when it came to
this Torah commentary.
This week we read a double
portion, Acharei Mot/Kedoshim;
in Kedoshim, there are some
great (read: fun and meaning-
ful and straightforward) things
to discuss, ranging from the Ten
Commandments to being fair and
honest in business; from the
allowed to engage in sexual
well-known adage, “Do not
relations. Note, it doesn’t
put a stumbling block before
speak at all about women’s
the blind,” to another, “Love
sexuality; but simply put,
your neighbor as yourself.”
it disallows incest, bestial-
These are the ethical
ity, two men together and
laws and values, all listed
sleeping with a menstru-
together in what is called
ating woman. There are
the Holiness Code (Leviticus Rabbi Marla
limits on our sexuality. A
19), that reminds us of what Hornsten
person can’t just have sex
it means to be good and
with whomever, whenever,
decent human beings.
however, that person wants.
So, I have to admit, I’d
And while the text doesn’t
rather talk about any one
describe the quality of the
of these mitzvot right now; but, I’m
intended sexual relationship, it is
compelled to look at the chapters
inferred that it be positive, healthy
that sandwich this code, chapters
and affirming.
18 and 20, focusing on the laws of
We take these ideals, not from our
sexual morality. Given our current
modern vision of a love relationship,
climate, we need to talk about sex.
but from the fact that the next chap-
In Judaism, sex is considered a
ter is the Holiness Code, concentrat-
good thing. “Be fruitful and multi-
ing on moral and ethical behaviors.
ply” is the very first commandment.
If we are to love our neighbor as
There are laws that encourage
ourselves, all the more so, should we
healthy and active sex lives. Human
not love and respect the person who
beings are meant to engage in loving
we engage with in the most intimate
and meaningful intimate relation-
of levels?
ships within the context of marriage;
As I read the Torah portion this
or perhaps in our modern day, we
year, I can’t help but believe that
might say within monogamous and
the Torah is telling us that enough
long-term relationships.
is enough. The Torah is telling us
Sex is not meant to be harm-
#MeToo and #Timesup. It is time
ful, demeaning or abusive. It is not
to change the way we are with each
about power and control of one
other. It is time to call out bad
partner over another. It is not about
behaviors, and it’s time to make all
harassment or violence, which it
our relationships, but especially our
seems, is more pervasive than any
intimate ones, healthy, loving and
of us could ever have believed. And
encouraging.
while, societally, we never felt com-
(If you are in an abusive relation-
fortable talking about it until the
ship, please call JFS at (833) 445-4357
most recent #MeToo and #Timesup
or Haven at (248) 334-1274 for help
movements, the Torah never had
and support.) •
any compunction about it.
These sections in Leviticus deal
Rabbi Marla Hornsten is a rabbi at Temple
with whom Israelite men are
Israel in West Bloomfield.

Parshat Acharey
Mot/Kedoshim:
Leviticus 16:1-20:27;
Amos 9:7-15.