|
|
|
April 9, 2004/Nisan 18 5764, Vol. 56, No. 29
Letters to the EditorApril 9, 2004
Lack of objective reportingEditor:In your commentary, you write that you don't know whether or not the remarks of the native English speakers were accurately translated, yet you give no reason as to why you might doubt the accuracy of the translator's work. ("Encountering Muslim journalists," Jewish News, April 2) You also write that some of the questions of the Muslim journalists had a hidden agenda yet you give no examples. Is it wrong for anyone asking a question to have a "hidden agenda"? Perhaps it doesn't imply the highest level of communication skills, but I don't think it's wrong. You also describe the physical appearance of the Gaza newspaper journalist as "burly" which yourdictionary.com defines as "heavy and muscular." Yet you didn't describe the physical appearance of anyone else. Why? Did you feel threatened by the Gaza journalist? If so, why? I really didn't find your writing about this meeting objective. Cheryl Kantor Tempe Unwavering view on same-sex marriageEditor:I congratulate you on publishing the passionate writing of Rabbi Michael Namath ("The fight for equality," Jewish News, March 26). It is his passion that has moved him to eschew the pursuit of truth in his analysis of the Torah's view on same-gender relationships. His American right to voice his own compassionate opinion that same-gender unions be recognized is guaranteed by our Constitution. However, it is troubling that he attempts to reconcile his own opinion with the unequivocal words of the Almighty as stated in Leviticus. It is Judaism's fundamental belief that the Torah was given 3,316 years ago at Mount Sinai. The author is God alone, and God is the author of history and knew then what the prevailing whims of society would be through the ages. Let our own desires for what we think the Torah ought to say not cloud what is in fact written by God. Rabbi Ariel Shoshan Phoenix Community Kollel/Aish Hatorah Scottsdale
|
