You seem to think that I dispute the existence of gender dysphoria. Just to clarify, I do not. It's a mental problem that is well documented.
I dispute to the extreme, that in order to help a person who suffers from this, we must cooperate with his complete disconnection from reality, and push him to cause irreversible damage to his body.
Here is the difference between circumcision (for men only) and trans butchery:
Circumcision does not block puberty, does not disable reproduction, does not prevent sexual pleasure later in life, and does not serve an identity make believe fantasy.
Thanks, everyone for engaging in this discussion! I made more elaborated comments in cases where there was disagreement, or where I felt I have something of value to add. Much appreciated!
One of the glaring things I've found in the Woke is that their reality is only what they see and they deny anyone else's opinion who differs from their perspective. Judaism, with all its teachings, encourages us to share what we think with others, while, in turn, listening, respectfully disagreeing or agreeing with their ideas. This piece is missing from the Woke ideology. It's about their reality, their feelings, and woe to the person who mentions anyone or anything that may challenge them.
I thought the article was overall excellent but I would add the following-The Torah and Halacha demand that we sanctify life on earth via fulfilling God's commandments witn respect to what makes the Jewish People a spiritually different people , learning Torah, doing Chesed for each other and inspiring the Gentile World with our actions to recognize that God created the world, acts in history and will redeem the Jewish People. Everything begins with recognizing that the world stands on Torah, Avodah and Gmilus Chasadim which in turn are rooted in the the core of the Musaf of Rosh HaShanah of Malchiyos ( HaShem is the king), Zicronos ( HaShem acts in our lives) and Shofaros ( HaShem will redeem us), Everything else is commentary
Thank you so much for your interesting article......I do not know about WOKE, but I think Judaism is a healthy and wise religion, like you very well said, it's about tradition, and thank God, had sustained our people for thousands of years.......
The Third Temple and the Kingdom of Israel ( Davidic Dynasty) are eternal and Sanhedrin is also in the Third Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem Very Soon Baruch HASHEM ALMIGHTY 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱Final peace comes after Shechinah is dwelling in the Third Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem Very Soon Baruch HASHEM 🙌🙏HASHEM destroy all the evil and also Satan himself away forever to eternity 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱
This feels like a very Puritanical description of Judaism imo. Thou shall not bear false witness to your neighbor being connected to invalidating transgender people feels like a very bad faith interpretation, and a huge stretch. Many fallacies in this article and not surprised to see a Jordan Peterson quote thrown in the mix, ultimate incel hero.
Thanks for engaging with this topic. If by puritanical you mean strict or limiting, I’d argue that, as it relates to Judaism’s view of moral code, it surely is – and rightly so. The mechanism that Judaism provides one, to avoid moral pitfalls, is very clear. One way leads one closer to God, and the other further away. There are many intricacies, to handle human nature (which is complex), but they all stem from a very clear moral code, which is indeed strict and limiting, which is set for our benefit. Much like the limits that we set for Kids, to keep them safe, and ensure they develop to become great adults.
Transgenderism leans on an absolute fallacy, that a person can change their identity from Man to Woman and Visa Versa. We can choose to lie to ourselves, or to live based on God’s truth. I’d love to hear a better explanation. Or to begin with, a clear and honest answer to the question – What is a woman? (without using "woman" in the explanation)
I had to go look for the definition, you attached to Dr. Peterson – “incel hero”. As best as I could understand, you mean something along the lines of women hater? Please correct me if I misunderstood. I’d agree to utterly disagree with this ridiculous claim, which is based on nothing more than personal impression, than any demonstrable data.
2 Jews, 3 Opinions indeed. We can wholeheartedly agree on that.
You reveal yourself as a member of the woke. It’s a religion, so you’re going to believe what you believe. Taking a swipe at Jordan Peterson confirms it. He’s the woke’s anti Christ, not least because he supports men.
Validating a persons feelings in relation to his gender is a huge problem when it involves genital mutilation which , not so long ago, most people saw as cruel.
Now it’s become acceptable and the lie then becomes the truth until the person realizes he was wrong and it’s too late.
I also do think woke culture is infecting Jews. I see it on the left who seem to believe it’s possible to align Islam and Judaism without recognizing that the two religions are totally incompatible.
Is it “genital mutilation” when it’s consensual and requested by the person? “Not too long ago” isn’t a great argument. Not too long ago, “separate but equal” was considered appropriate. Not too long ago, ambulances didn’t exist. Not too long ago, teachers were encouraged to beat children that didn’t follow their directions (to the extreme detriment of autistic children). Transgenderism is something that has been acknowledged for longer than “not too long ago,” and most recent studies that aren’t edited by right wing think tanks indicate that it’s considerably healthier for people to live the life best suited to their internal gender than external one. Just so happens that internal & external match for most - but not all.
Consensual or not – it is a practice of mutilation of the body, in support of an absolutely demonstrable false view of Reality. When someone is disconnected from reality, we say that he suffers from a sort of dissonance, and it should be resolved a 100% of the times, without chopping off body parts.
As "man of aran" correctly stated – “Gender affirming surgery” is THE euphemism of the century. As the agrents of this woke ideology often do, it is used to normalize the absolutely abnormal, and make people comfortable with really terrible practice.
Except that, well, you’re wrong. Transgender as a phrase truly has only existed since the 1950’s or so; but folks with gender dysphoria or folks who are a gender outside of the male/female dynamic have existed since there have been people. Areas we can find historical basis for that include areas in Thailand and tribal areas of sub Saharan Africa, where it’s been around for millennia.
And I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that gender affirming surgeries have considerably lower rates of post-surgery regrets than most elective surgeries. Or is that another “absolutely demonstrable false view of Reality?”
So I have to ask - have you been circumcised? Because that’s as much as genital mutilation as anything that you’re saying, and I would wager that 90+% of penis-owning Jews have been. I’m assuming that your boundary for “genital mutilation” falls somewhere outside of there, which is - I’m sure - a contradiction you’re comfortable with.
Woke is what woke says it is, and it is not one thing. Some woke hate Jews and Zionism and Israel, and some adore Israel and Jews and Zionism. Being woke and a Hilltop Zionist, a Zionist who believes that Judea and Samaria are provinces of Israel, and Jerusalem is Israels Capital, I do not take offense at what you write here, but I simply bring notice to my position.
Great article. I appreciated your comment that "If I witness violence, I take it as a message to work on the violence in me first."
I believe that far too often people who try to be moral, do the right thing, or believe in tikkun olam, etc, miss your vital point.
So many people see the evil and the wrongs of the world as entirely external.
Indeed, if everyone on earth believed instead that the worst person they know is the one they see in the mirror, then the world would be a better place.
I believe any of the great religions can provide the antidote to woke, or lies, or any of the ever changing ideological ideas that have their moment in societies throughout history.
The apostle Paul wrote that through the Christian faith, "we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every new teaching."
Ultimately, it comes down to what's in the heart of each and every person.
For every person seems to find in their religion what they are looking for.
The most basic problem we all have is the problem of sin - personal sin - because we cannot approach a holy God with sin in our hearts and lives. What remedy does modern Judaism offer for this? The Bible foretold that God would provide a Lamb to take our punishment on Himself for us, and this was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Who was the fulfillment of all the prophecies from the books of Moses onward. Judaism has much to offer, but needs to receive her Messiah to be completed.
Hi Alison, the doctrine sounds great on paper. And if in your heart you are truly making an honest effort to admit your own sins without a preferrence to pointing a finger at others then that's commendable and I applaud you for that. I agree with you that Judaism, in its mainstream form tends to focus on good works instead of repentence of sin. And repentence of sin is essential to coming closer to God.
Hi Alison, I agree with you that mainstream Judaism should accept Jesus. In their own way, not according to European standards. The council of Jerusalem agreed to let the European believers worship according to their own cultural standards. But rhe Europeans didnt reciprocate. Unfortunately, everything is political.
>The apostle Paul wrote that through the Christian faith, "we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every new teaching."
It seems the Divine did not see fit to trouble him with foreknowledge of Protestantism.
The Church has been splintered and splintered again. According to Google The Roman Catholic Church Council of Laodicea (363 and 364 AD.) changed God's 4th commandment of Sabbath to Sunday. Many councils changed many things. And it doesn't seem that the hand of God intervenes at all.
I'm sure if there was not the separation of Church and State today they'd again be burning people at the stake: For the love of Christ.
The early Christians celebrated God's Sabbath on Sunday because it was the first day of the week - the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead and the day the Holy Spirit came down and the Church was born (Day of Pentecost). It was not changed later; simply recognized. As for burning at the stake, there is nothing like humanism and particularly the woke movement for displaying intolerance of different ideas, so I think it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Within the visible church, as in Judaism, there are those who are not true believers, and in fact are even atheists and hostile to the true faith. However, there is a true body of believers, the true Church, and they are one in Christ. God knows those who are His own.
Hi Alison. I'm not writing in support of "woke" or any left wing ideology. Anyhow, If I'm not mistaken the Council of Laodicea forbade the Saturday Sabbath and banning the Saturday Sabbath was oppresive.
As you know Jesus washed his disciples feet at the Last Supper and instructed them that to lead in the Church means to serve.
Can you honestly look at the history of the Church and see a hierarchy of people who served as Jesus instructed?
I thank God for the separation of the Church and State because I do believe that there are plenty of people in those positions of power who would be calling to burn people at the stake again.
Jesus said I leave you with one message "to love one another"
He said "not to judge but to look at the log in your own eye first"
Can you honestly look at the Church's history and find only what Jesus instructed.
My God, just recently the Pope displayed a Palestinian keffiyeh under the baby Jesus.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well "We Jews know where salvation comes from"
Would Jesus support an Islamic anti-Jewish death cult?
The Pope is supposed to be the equivilant of the apostle Peter. Is he? Can you honestly look at him and say that?
Apostles are supposed to have the power to heal, etc. Do they?
The Holy Spirit is supposed to guide Church leaders in what they say and do.
The doctrine sounds great and if you have a pure heart as Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount than I commend you for that.
But I don't see that the hand of God intervenes when everything goes off the rails and the Church becomes nothing more than a total inversion of what Jesus spoke of.
You seem to think that I dispute the existence of gender dysphoria. Just to clarify, I do not. It's a mental problem that is well documented.
I dispute to the extreme, that in order to help a person who suffers from this, we must cooperate with his complete disconnection from reality, and push him to cause irreversible damage to his body.
Here is the difference between circumcision (for men only) and trans butchery:
Circumcision does not block puberty, does not disable reproduction, does not prevent sexual pleasure later in life, and does not serve an identity make believe fantasy.
Trans butchery does.
Thanks, everyone for engaging in this discussion! I made more elaborated comments in cases where there was disagreement, or where I felt I have something of value to add. Much appreciated!
This is a wonderful antidote to woke. What we put at the top of our hierarchy - it’s a great way of thinking about values.
Thank you. Dr. Peterson deserves the credit.
One of the glaring things I've found in the Woke is that their reality is only what they see and they deny anyone else's opinion who differs from their perspective. Judaism, with all its teachings, encourages us to share what we think with others, while, in turn, listening, respectfully disagreeing or agreeing with their ideas. This piece is missing from the Woke ideology. It's about their reality, their feelings, and woe to the person who mentions anyone or anything that may challenge them.
I thought the article was overall excellent but I would add the following-The Torah and Halacha demand that we sanctify life on earth via fulfilling God's commandments witn respect to what makes the Jewish People a spiritually different people , learning Torah, doing Chesed for each other and inspiring the Gentile World with our actions to recognize that God created the world, acts in history and will redeem the Jewish People. Everything begins with recognizing that the world stands on Torah, Avodah and Gmilus Chasadim which in turn are rooted in the the core of the Musaf of Rosh HaShanah of Malchiyos ( HaShem is the king), Zicronos ( HaShem acts in our lives) and Shofaros ( HaShem will redeem us), Everything else is commentary
Thank you so much for your interesting article......I do not know about WOKE, but I think Judaism is a healthy and wise religion, like you very well said, it's about tradition, and thank God, had sustained our people for thousands of years.......
Thank you!
And you know you are right when the woke response is how do you know what reality is??? It's what we all see, not just what one person wants to see.
Reality is shared. If it's just in your head, it is real for you, but likely not many others.
Thank you!!!
The Third Temple and the Kingdom of Israel ( Davidic Dynasty) are eternal and Sanhedrin is also in the Third Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem Very Soon Baruch HASHEM ALMIGHTY 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱Final peace comes after Shechinah is dwelling in the Third Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem Very Soon Baruch HASHEM 🙌🙏HASHEM destroy all the evil and also Satan himself away forever to eternity 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱
This feels like a very Puritanical description of Judaism imo. Thou shall not bear false witness to your neighbor being connected to invalidating transgender people feels like a very bad faith interpretation, and a huge stretch. Many fallacies in this article and not surprised to see a Jordan Peterson quote thrown in the mix, ultimate incel hero.
2 Jews 3 opinions I guess. Peace and love.
Thanks for engaging with this topic. If by puritanical you mean strict or limiting, I’d argue that, as it relates to Judaism’s view of moral code, it surely is – and rightly so. The mechanism that Judaism provides one, to avoid moral pitfalls, is very clear. One way leads one closer to God, and the other further away. There are many intricacies, to handle human nature (which is complex), but they all stem from a very clear moral code, which is indeed strict and limiting, which is set for our benefit. Much like the limits that we set for Kids, to keep them safe, and ensure they develop to become great adults.
Transgenderism leans on an absolute fallacy, that a person can change their identity from Man to Woman and Visa Versa. We can choose to lie to ourselves, or to live based on God’s truth. I’d love to hear a better explanation. Or to begin with, a clear and honest answer to the question – What is a woman? (without using "woman" in the explanation)
I had to go look for the definition, you attached to Dr. Peterson – “incel hero”. As best as I could understand, you mean something along the lines of women hater? Please correct me if I misunderstood. I’d agree to utterly disagree with this ridiculous claim, which is based on nothing more than personal impression, than any demonstrable data.
2 Jews, 3 Opinions indeed. We can wholeheartedly agree on that.
You reveal yourself as a member of the woke. It’s a religion, so you’re going to believe what you believe. Taking a swipe at Jordan Peterson confirms it. He’s the woke’s anti Christ, not least because he supports men.
Hear! Hear!
Validating a persons feelings in relation to his gender is a huge problem when it involves genital mutilation which , not so long ago, most people saw as cruel.
Now it’s become acceptable and the lie then becomes the truth until the person realizes he was wrong and it’s too late.
I also do think woke culture is infecting Jews. I see it on the left who seem to believe it’s possible to align Islam and Judaism without recognizing that the two religions are totally incompatible.
Is it “genital mutilation” when it’s consensual and requested by the person? “Not too long ago” isn’t a great argument. Not too long ago, “separate but equal” was considered appropriate. Not too long ago, ambulances didn’t exist. Not too long ago, teachers were encouraged to beat children that didn’t follow their directions (to the extreme detriment of autistic children). Transgenderism is something that has been acknowledged for longer than “not too long ago,” and most recent studies that aren’t edited by right wing think tanks indicate that it’s considerably healthier for people to live the life best suited to their internal gender than external one. Just so happens that internal & external match for most - but not all.
Consensual or not – it is a practice of mutilation of the body, in support of an absolutely demonstrable false view of Reality. When someone is disconnected from reality, we say that he suffers from a sort of dissonance, and it should be resolved a 100% of the times, without chopping off body parts.
As "man of aran" correctly stated – “Gender affirming surgery” is THE euphemism of the century. As the agrents of this woke ideology often do, it is used to normalize the absolutely abnormal, and make people comfortable with really terrible practice.
Except that, well, you’re wrong. Transgender as a phrase truly has only existed since the 1950’s or so; but folks with gender dysphoria or folks who are a gender outside of the male/female dynamic have existed since there have been people. Areas we can find historical basis for that include areas in Thailand and tribal areas of sub Saharan Africa, where it’s been around for millennia.
And I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that gender affirming surgeries have considerably lower rates of post-surgery regrets than most elective surgeries. Or is that another “absolutely demonstrable false view of Reality?”
So I have to ask - have you been circumcised? Because that’s as much as genital mutilation as anything that you’re saying, and I would wager that 90+% of penis-owning Jews have been. I’m assuming that your boundary for “genital mutilation” falls somewhere outside of there, which is - I’m sure - a contradiction you’re comfortable with.
It is genital mutilation. There is no other word for it.
Actually, according to Johns Hopkins, it’s called “Gender Affirmation Surgery.” Hope that helps!
Euphemism of the century!
Woke is what woke says it is, and it is not one thing. Some woke hate Jews and Zionism and Israel, and some adore Israel and Jews and Zionism. Being woke and a Hilltop Zionist, a Zionist who believes that Judea and Samaria are provinces of Israel, and Jerusalem is Israels Capital, I do not take offense at what you write here, but I simply bring notice to my position.
Thanks, Anthony.
People who can lift themselves up from the identity politics, and engage in honest, reality-based debate, are not considered woke in my book.
Great article. I appreciated your comment that "If I witness violence, I take it as a message to work on the violence in me first."
I believe that far too often people who try to be moral, do the right thing, or believe in tikkun olam, etc, miss your vital point.
So many people see the evil and the wrongs of the world as entirely external.
Indeed, if everyone on earth believed instead that the worst person they know is the one they see in the mirror, then the world would be a better place.
I believe any of the great religions can provide the antidote to woke, or lies, or any of the ever changing ideological ideas that have their moment in societies throughout history.
The apostle Paul wrote that through the Christian faith, "we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every new teaching."
Ultimately, it comes down to what's in the heart of each and every person.
For every person seems to find in their religion what they are looking for.
The most basic problem we all have is the problem of sin - personal sin - because we cannot approach a holy God with sin in our hearts and lives. What remedy does modern Judaism offer for this? The Bible foretold that God would provide a Lamb to take our punishment on Himself for us, and this was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Who was the fulfillment of all the prophecies from the books of Moses onward. Judaism has much to offer, but needs to receive her Messiah to be completed.
Hi Alison, the doctrine sounds great on paper. And if in your heart you are truly making an honest effort to admit your own sins without a preferrence to pointing a finger at others then that's commendable and I applaud you for that. I agree with you that Judaism, in its mainstream form tends to focus on good works instead of repentence of sin. And repentence of sin is essential to coming closer to God.
Hi Alison, I agree with you that mainstream Judaism should accept Jesus. In their own way, not according to European standards. The council of Jerusalem agreed to let the European believers worship according to their own cultural standards. But rhe Europeans didnt reciprocate. Unfortunately, everything is political.
>The apostle Paul wrote that through the Christian faith, "we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every new teaching."
It seems the Divine did not see fit to trouble him with foreknowledge of Protestantism.
The Church has been splintered and splintered again. According to Google The Roman Catholic Church Council of Laodicea (363 and 364 AD.) changed God's 4th commandment of Sabbath to Sunday. Many councils changed many things. And it doesn't seem that the hand of God intervenes at all.
I'm sure if there was not the separation of Church and State today they'd again be burning people at the stake: For the love of Christ.
The early Christians celebrated God's Sabbath on Sunday because it was the first day of the week - the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead and the day the Holy Spirit came down and the Church was born (Day of Pentecost). It was not changed later; simply recognized. As for burning at the stake, there is nothing like humanism and particularly the woke movement for displaying intolerance of different ideas, so I think it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Within the visible church, as in Judaism, there are those who are not true believers, and in fact are even atheists and hostile to the true faith. However, there is a true body of believers, the true Church, and they are one in Christ. God knows those who are His own.
Hi Alison. I'm not writing in support of "woke" or any left wing ideology. Anyhow, If I'm not mistaken the Council of Laodicea forbade the Saturday Sabbath and banning the Saturday Sabbath was oppresive.
As you know Jesus washed his disciples feet at the Last Supper and instructed them that to lead in the Church means to serve.
Can you honestly look at the history of the Church and see a hierarchy of people who served as Jesus instructed?
I thank God for the separation of the Church and State because I do believe that there are plenty of people in those positions of power who would be calling to burn people at the stake again.
Jesus said I leave you with one message "to love one another"
He said "not to judge but to look at the log in your own eye first"
Can you honestly look at the Church's history and find only what Jesus instructed.
My God, just recently the Pope displayed a Palestinian keffiyeh under the baby Jesus.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well "We Jews know where salvation comes from"
Would Jesus support an Islamic anti-Jewish death cult?
The Pope is supposed to be the equivilant of the apostle Peter. Is he? Can you honestly look at him and say that?
Apostles are supposed to have the power to heal, etc. Do they?
The Holy Spirit is supposed to guide Church leaders in what they say and do.
The doctrine sounds great and if you have a pure heart as Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount than I commend you for that.
But I don't see that the hand of God intervenes when everything goes off the rails and the Church becomes nothing more than a total inversion of what Jesus spoke of.
Very well said. Thanks.
Generally, the further away from Torah a person is, the more susceptible they are to being infected by garbage ideas. That’s been my experience.
I like your outlook
Yes, sir.
Amen.