Psak 5767 Cheshvon 17
Informal translation from Hebrew of the 17 Cheshvon, 5767 (8 November, 2006) statement:
Special Court for Matters Concerning the Nation and the State
(Operating Autonomously)
Legal decision concerning police officers who are called to perform their duties for the "Parade of Abomination"
The case was brought before this court of a number of police officers who were called to perform their duties for the "Parade of Abomination" (Gay Pride & Awareness Parade in Jerusalem), as to whether they may participate in the security arrangements for the parade on Friday, 10th November.
Legal Decision
G-d-fearing individuals should refuse the order!
On Friday, 10th of November, 2006, a large demonstration of gays and lesbians, publicized as the “Parade of Pride,” is planned for Jerusalem – the Holy City and location of the Holy Temple. The participants of this event have established for themselves a lifestyle that contradicts the Torah (Biblical) teachings handed down to the Jewish people. In the Torah it is clearly written that "a man shall not sleep with a man, as with a woman; it is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22) It is also written "neither shall there be a sodomite (homosexual) among the sons of Israel." (Deuteronomy 23:18) [It is a very serious offense, such that] any Jew who commits this particular violation is, under certain circumstances, liable for capital punishment according to Jewish Law.
Because of a deep-seated realization that sodomy downgrades man to the level of animality, [rather than admit that these feelings are the natural result of their actions, they mistakenly blame social pressure] and therefore need to have a parade, to help them overcome their own personal shame and feelings of guilt they are plagued with.
Therefore, every police officer that assists this demonstration in any way, breaks the law in several instances, as follows:
- Providing assistance to those who commit a legal offense, as the law says "Thou shalt not ... put a stumbling-block before the blind" (Leviticus 19:14)
- Anyone who sees the demonstration but does not object, breaks the law "neither shall there be a sodomite (homosexual) among the sons of Israel." (Deuteronomy 23:18)
- Police officers who prevents the public from protesting or holding a counter-demonstration, is preventing the public from upholding the law "thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor"(Leviticus 18:17). Although not punishable by a court of law, this offense is said to have spiritual ramifications (Maimonides, Hilchos Teshuva 4:1)
- A police officer who hits an individual who has come to protest this event commits a criminal act, as the law says "All who raises their a hand on his friend (who did not commit a crime) is called wicked (commits a crime). (Sefer Chinuch para. 595)
- A police officer who participates in securing the parade, [commits a crime not punishable by the courts but which can indirectly] bring – G-d forbid – exile to the Jewish people as the law says "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do... That the land not throw you out." (Leviticus 18:3,28)
- Police officers who leave their positions in crime-ridden districts in order to participate in the security operations for this parade break the law "Thou shall not stand idly by the blood of thy fellow man." (Leviticus 19:16)
- Those responsible for cleaning up after the demonstration intend to continue their work well into the Sabbath. This large scale desecration of the sanctity of the Sabbath is also a criminal act and therefore, every police officer who participates in the demonstration with his own hands is leading to desecration of the Sabbath, concerning which there is a law "He who desecrates the Sabbath will fall under the death sentence" (Exodus 31:14)
- A police officer who helps, even in the smallest and indirect way, to staging of this parade is humiliating the religious leaders of the Jewish people who have called upon all Jews to protest this parade. About which it is said that "Anyone that humiliates a scholar, has no place in the world to come." (Maimonides, Hilchos Shabbos, 3:14)
In consideration of the above, any police officer that participates in the security operations for the parade is committing a criminal act, breaking Jewish law and assisting those who would commit a crime. This is a very serious offense [and although the Jewish courts cannot enforce the law at this time] he or she will need to face judgment in the supernal court at the throne of the Almighty.
Every police officer who reveres the word of the L-rd should refuse orders and not participate in any manner or fashion in the security operations of those who commit to acts of abomination under the law.
It is signed:
Chief Justice R' Yisrael Ariel
Justice R' Yehuda Edery
Justice R' Hillel Weiss
Click here to see the Hebrew version
References