Trembling Before God on Yom Kippur


 

Publication Date: July 2009

Publisher: National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (U.S.)

Author(s): Steven Greenberg

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Jewish Text; Jewish Identification; Homosexuality; Tolerance

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author, an openly gay Orthodox Rabbi, discusses the rush of emotions that he feels when hearing on Yom Kippur the portion of Leviticus which denounces and lists the sexual prohibitions. He describes his journey from silently crying as the portion was read, to one day going up to the Torah and valiantly reading the portion himself in front of the congregation.