Chief Rabbi defends LGBTQ in Israeli TV interview: All humans created in God’s image
In 2018, Rabbi Mirvis published the first guide for ultra-orthodox Jewish schools to help make lives easier for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pupils.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has defended the LGBTQ community in an interview on Israeli TV, amid a storm of homophobic comments from leading Israeli rabbis and lawmakers after Knesset elected its first openly gay speaker.
Speaking to Channel 13, Rabbi Mirvis said that every human was created “in the image of God. This is how we must look at each and everyone. We all know the (halachic) prohibitions, but at the same time, we forbid to hate.”
In 2018, Rabbi Mirvis published the first ever guide for ultra-orthodox Jewish schools to help make lives easier for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pupils.
“This is the first guide in the world for the Orthodox Jews that deals with the subject of LGBTQ. I wrote from a Torah point of view exactly how we should treat such difficult situations and how to guide youth in our communities from a halachic point of view in our schools, with a heart that is open and connected to each and everyone – So that each of them will feel part of the religious world of Judaism,” Mirvis told Channel 13.
The UK Chief Rabbi ended his interview with saying that his view on the LGBTQ community wasn’t “liberal” but rather the “Torah’s position.”
A number of leading Israeli rabbis have come out against the election of Amir Ohana Knesset speaker last week, marking the first time in Israel’s history that an openly gay person holds that position.
Jerusalem’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Shlomo Amar, called the decision to name Ohana as Knesset speaker “unbearable.”
Leading rabbi Meir Mazuz, who is close to ultra-Orthodox lawmakers in Knesset, said Ohana was “infected with a disease.”
“This whole thing with the abominations — today they’re glorified. For shame. Such a disgrace. Woe to the ears that hear of such things. It is unbearable. They appoint them to roles that are considered lofty. They have lost all of their shame,” he said.
Leading rabbi Meir Mazuz, who is close to ultra-Orthodox lawmakers in Knesset, said Ohana was “infected with a disease.”
“There is a time when everyone will be asked: Are you part of the Pride Parade or part of the humility parade? You should distance yourself from it. You see people walking and bragging about the Pride Parade in Jerusalem. Close the windows and tell your children: ‘This is a parade of animals, you have no business looking at it. These are animals walking on two legs. What can we do about them?’” Mazuz said.
Several ultra-Orthodox lawmakers were seen demonstratively turning their heads away when Ohana held his speech as Knesset speaker on Thursday, while lawmaker from United Torah Judaism Yitzhak Pindrus walked out.
A number of ministers in the new government have made homophobic remarks, including Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Deputy Minister in Netanyahu’s office Avi Maoz.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.