06/11/2007
Rabbis Place Curse on Jerusalem Gay Pride Participants
Once again, ultra-orthodox Haredi jews are doing everything they can to put a stop to a planned gay rights rally in Jerusalem, including placing a curse on those who participate.
A group of rabbis from the extremist anti-Zionist Eda Haredit sect issued this warning on Sunday:
"To all those involved, sinners in spirit, and whoever helps and protects them, may they feel a curse on their souls, may it plague them and may evil pursue them; they will not be requitted of their transgressions from heavenly judgment."
Ynet News reports: "The Edah Haredit is an extreme body which has declared ideological warfare against the "heretic Zionist government." Its members shun Knesset votes, do not carry Israeli ID cards, and refuse allowances from the government budget. Edah Haredit rabbis warned Sunday that anyone who participates in the gay parade will be hurt 'in body, soul and finances.' The rabbis threatened participants citing the 'success' of previous curses: 'Know what happened to the evil persons who were cursed, and thus feel in your souls that your end will be bitter,' the statement read. 'We are in a grave situation,' wrote the editor of the Edah Haredit mouthpiece, Rabbi Shmuel Pappenheim. In placing the curse, 'The Badatz acceded judgment to the heavens; they will be dealt with there.'"
Police have given organizers preliminary approval to hold the event but said it is still possible that it could be revoked if law enforcement feels that resulting violence would be too disruptive.
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Posted 12:25 PM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Jerusalem, News, Religion | Permalink
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Call me crazy, but if your parents named you "Shmuel" it seems like you've already been cursed.
Posted by: Zlexar | Jun 11, 2007 12:37:56 PM
Spells and potions... uh oh, they're bringing out the big guns now.
Posted by: mark m | Jun 11, 2007 12:46:53 PM
Well, we've seen crazy Christians, crazy Muslims...why include some crazy Jews. Never seen a crazy Hindu, though...not yet. Can you imagine how many homos there must be in India and China? Millions. Doesn't have much to do with the topic, hunh?
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jun 11, 2007 12:47:37 PM
Zlexar, Mark M, Derrick...you guys crack me up. Thanks for a good Monday mornin' :)
Posted by: Silverskreen | Jun 11, 2007 1:04:42 PM
Now correct me if I'm wrong here, doesn't the law of Moses have something to say about cursing people? Aren't people supposed to be humble before God? When did the Jews start talking about Heaven? Isn't a curse a prayer to God telling them to punish the wicked? Wouldn't a curse be against all precepts of Judaism?
Hypocrites and Pharisees alike!
Posted by: PJ | Jun 11, 2007 1:10:48 PM
What we need is a countercurse!
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Jun 11, 2007 1:35:45 PM
boogah boogah boogah.
more voodoo from fundies. sounds more venomous than some of the Christians.
Posted by: TomChicago | Jun 11, 2007 1:36:43 PM
PJ, it actually is counter to Jewish law to attempt to use any supernatural means to harm another, right down to prayer. These guys are the fringe of the fringe, the Fred Phelps of Israel.
And Derrick, there are lots of crazy Hindus. When the lesbian movie, Fire, was released in India, movie theaters were burned to the ground and people died. If you want more craziness, look up "Hindutva" on Wikipedia, or read about the Babri Mosque.
Posted by: Gitai | Jun 11, 2007 2:13:44 PM
Where's Hermione when you need her?
Posted by: Myackie | Jun 11, 2007 3:27:22 PM
Aren't these the same people who want the world to know that they were marginalized and singled out by the Nazis for death just for being Jews? How hypocritical for these Yahoos to wish the same persecution for Gay men and women!
Posted by: Jimmy G | Jun 17, 2007 7:09:58 AM