Rabbi Urged to Educate Lieberman on Abortion

NewsMax.com ^ | 31 Jan 03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax staff

[Mr. Silverback]

Sen. Joseph Lieberman's Rabbi, Barry Freundel, may have opened up a can of worms when he told the Washington Post's Lloyd Grove earlier this week that he didn't think having a presidential candidate in his congregation would "affect my standing as a rabbi.”

Acting in a personal capacity, Judicial Watch Chairman Larry Klayman fired off a letter to Rabbi Freundel urging him to avail himself of the opportunity to educate the Orthodox Jewish pro-abortion Democrat on the just how far he's strayed from the fold.

"You should be proud that you are the first Jewish rabbi in United States history to count a presidential candidate among your congregation," Klayman wrote Freundel. "And I applaud your decision to not advise him on politics but instead on religious issues."

"However," continued the public interest lawyer, "I urge you to counsel Senator Lieberman what it means to be an orthodox Jew."

Klayman continued:

"You stated in Grove’s column that you '…suspect that there are a lot of people who would want to be in this position (as rabbi to a leading presidential candidate), but I don’t think it affects my standing as a rabbi.' But according to Mishnah, the oral interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures, abortion is only permitted when a woman’s life is in the gravest of danger."

The Judicial Watch chief also reminded Rabbi Freundel of his own statements at the 2000 National Right to Life Convention, where he contended that the majority of U.S. abortions were in conflict with Jewish Scripture.

"You also mentioned that you would '…certainly make time' to meet with Senator Lieberman if he’s elected President."

Klayman then suggested, "You may want to consider using this historic opportunity to educate a presidential candidate on what being an orthodox Jew is all about, so that he can live his life according to these tenets and perhaps teach others to respect the lives of the unborn as well."

[Mr. Silverback]

I just about threw up when I read in 2000 that Lieberman won't ride in a car on the Sabbath. Apparently it's OK to vote for baby-killing on the Sabbath, as long as you walk to the Capitol.

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[Michael2001]

BTTT

[NYer]

But according to Mishnah, the oral interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures, abortion is only permitted when a woman’s life is in the gravest of danger."

Yes! Just as certain catholic bishops are taking a stand against pro-choice catholic politicians, it is now time for the rabbis to address their pro-choice politicos, as well.

Dr. Steve ... oral interpretation? What say you? Does this fly in the face of sola scriptura?

[heyheyhey]

US Jewish groups concerned about Roe v. Wade on 30th anniversary

[drstevej]

I consider the Mishnah a non-inspired commentary. Well worth consideration but hardly the last word.

On this issue I would agree that when the life of the mother is threatened she has the right to self defense or the right to risk her life. It is a moral choice not unlike the pacifism/self defense issue when a person's life is endangered (placed into grave danger).

I do not believe that abortion is a morally right choice in any other case. My conclusions come for a fairly detailed analysis of Scripture. It is certainly not an easy issue but the above represents my personal convictions.

So I may be closer to the rabbis than the RCC on this issue. As an adoptive father I am thankful for birth moms who choose life even in circumstances where public opinion would encourage her to get an abortion.

[heyheyhey]

Out of the estimated 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade, how many were performed because the life of the mother was threatened?

[drstevej]

***how many were performed because the life of the mother was threatened? ***

Very few by comparison. A guess would be less than 1 percent. That figure may be high.

[NYer]

My conclusions come for a fairly detailed analysis of Scripture.

Would you be willing to share those scriptural passages with us? I, for one, would be most interested.

[drstevej]

My lecture notes on abortion have a good bit of formatting and several graphics. These notes not only have the scripture but the reasoning for the position I hold. I may have cassette tapes of when I have presented the material (most of that is boxed up from the last move). There is also an appendix on creationism vs. traducianism and another on Ex. 21:22.

I would be willing to email this to you (Word Perfect Format or Adobe Acrobat pdf format) or perhaps when I have time I could post it on my home web page as a pdf document. That way others interested could have access to it. Freep me your email if you are interested.

[Taiwan Bocks]

It is certainly not an easy issue

Maybe it's not easy, especially for the mothers in guilt, or the babies ripped in pieces in a hideously cruel human sacrifice to the god of convenience.

Maybe it's not easy, but it sure as anything is simple.

Simply, it's murder.

In scripture, if by accident I cause your wife to deliver your child early, I'm ok,
but if she miscarries, I am to be stoned to death.

3,600 times a day in America, it's simple.

[drstevej]

Here is a link to the my Abortion lecture notes in pdf format. Hope it works.

http://www.geocities.com/smjmvj/abortion.pdf

[drstevej]

See link in #12 if interested in my views. The Exodus 21 passage you reference is dealt with in the index.

I too consider abortion murder. As a traducianist I believe that life begins at conception. Termination for any reason is murder. I do believe that self defense can be a responsible moral choice when one's life is threatened.

In the case of rape, incest and eugenic abortion the choice for life is extremely difficult but right. As an adoptive parent I am an illustration that a difficult choice can be a blessing to the adoptive parents and the lives of those who are impacted by the life of the unborn child who is allowed to live.

[BibChr]

Out of the estimated 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade, how many were performed because the life of the mother was threatened?

I think... two.

One is in dispute.

In the other, the kid had a gun, so....

Dan
The Bible and the Bull's-Eye on the Baby

[SUSSA]

Lieberman is no longer a Jew. He was excommunicated for bringing disgrace upon the religion. He can call himself a Jew, but it seems the religion wants no part of the scumbag.

[SUSSA]

Article here.

http://www.jewsformorality.org/aaaw087.htm

[Taiwan Bocks]

Thank you for your patient and clear and kind answer.

Surely the adoptive parent experience is a blessing for your fortunate child as well.

[montag813]

I just about threw up when I read in 2000 that Lieberman won't ride in a car on the Sabbath.

This is a lie which the media refuses to expose. Lieberman on several occasions traveled during the Sabbath during the 2000 campaign, and was seen eating during a major fasting day. He is a sicko hypocrite, and no self-respecting Jew could ever give him their vote.

[drstevej]

He's now 16 and a real joy. We also have a 21 year old daughter via birth who likewise is a wonderful blessing. Honestly, whether ours through adoption or ours through birth is inconsequential to us. The experience has been wonderful. God is gracious.

Blessings to you.

[Mr. Silverback]

This is a lie which the media refuses to expose.

Thanks for the info. Let's remember that even if he was observant, it's the slavish devotion to the baby-killing lobby that is the sickest.