A Discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky on “SSA” - Hakirah.org

A <strong>Discussion</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Rabbi</strong> <strong>Shmuel</strong> <strong>Kamenetsky</strong> on “SSA” : 43(3) Men who have sex <strong>with</strong> men are 17 times more likely to developanal cancer than heterosexual men. Men who are HIV-positiveare even more likely than those who are uninfected to developanal cancer. 21Given the factual dangers of living a homosexual or bisexuallifestyle, the Rosh Yeshiva expressed several concerns. “How canwe encourage people to accept such a devastating way of living forthemselves? How is such a consideration considered caring and lovingwhen the medical community evidences how physically destructivesuch behavior is to their health? Should the United Statesbe legalizing and promoting a lifestyle that is a direct threat to one’shealth and life? Can anyone seriously believe that reparative therapyor gender-affirming processes are more dangerous than a lifestylethat infects one out of five of its members <strong>with</strong> a deadly disease?”Understanding the Threat of the Homosexual Movement toObservant Jews: How Long Before <strong>Rabbi</strong>s are Targeted?The Rosh Yeshiva also spoke about the political climate in Americaand our need to recognize that many current societal practices adverselyaffect our religious freedoms. He specifically mentioned thepush to legalize homosexual marriage and the military’s recentchanges to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and the effect such policieshave on our ability to live our lives consistent <strong>with</strong> what theTorah expects of us. His concerns are partially premised on what heperceives as the elevation of homosexuality into a legally recognizedsocial institution, one that violates the clear commandment ofVayikra 18:22. While Rav <strong>Kamenetsky</strong> indicated there is nothingnew about this phenomenon, citing, for example, the sexual excessesamong the Canaanite population that had become sanctionedby custom or statute, Torah Jews have an obligation not to elevateimmorality as the law of the land. Our obligation is to incorporatethe Holiness Code (Vayikra 19:1) into our everyday civic and communallife. When we do so, argues Rav <strong>Kamenetsky</strong>, concerned in-21.