Chief Rabbi defends LGBTQ in Israeli TV interview: All humans created in God’s image

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.