“Arthur Goldberg’s Light in the Closet.” Social Justice Review, vol. 100, #1-2, pp. 28-29.
Arthur Goldberg's Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality and the Power to Change
Los Angeles, CA, Red Heifer Press, 2008, 575 pages, $36.00. (2nd Printing: July 1, 2009)
Arthur Goldberg's unique and comprehensive book details a synthesis between traditional Judaism's view of homosexuality and "Gender Affirming Processes" (GAP), defined as the varied processes employed to assist those with unwanted homosexuality. He believes that homosexuality involves a "developmental gap" and makes the point that homosexuality is mostly a developmental condition, one that stems from gender identity confusion, rather than today's social-political identity.
Drawing from his knowledge of the Torah, Goldberg traces 3,000 years of rabbinical understandings, premised upon the Torah's authority, to make his point that sexual union is meant to be between one man and one woman. Anything contrary to this design is considered as having "gone astray" (To'eh attah bah). Goldberg explains that although the homosexual act is literally translated in standard bible language as an "abomination," in fact, the Hebrew word "toeivah" incorporates the concepts of forgiveness and mercy. His interpretation, backed by numerous rabbinical commentaries, is that while one may be led astray (To'eh attah bah), the one who was led astray may return to God's chosen path without recrimination (teshuvah).
The book is not limited to homosexuality. It covers several sexual behavioral prohibitions of the Torah and explains each prohibition, including e.g., incest, adultery, bestiality, and many others.
Goldberg, like any person of good ethic, is convinced that clients need autonomy and that gay affirming processes are not a monolithic measure to a client's dimorphic dismay. Clearly, the gay agenda in western society, as of late, have "black-boxed" processes to overcome same sex attraction, even though a large body of evidence exists to show how they may ameliorate unwanted homosexuality.
The book is written in a language that all can understand and youneed not be Jewish to grasp. Those interested in ordering the book can do so through the publisher's web site,http://www.redheiferpress.com The author may be contacted at [email protected].
Los Angeles, CA, Red Heifer Press, 2008, 575 pages, $36.00. (2nd Printing: July 1, 2009)
Arthur Goldberg's unique and comprehensive book details a synthesis between traditional Judaism's view of homosexuality and "Gender Affirming Processes" (GAP), defined as the varied processes employed to assist those with unwanted homosexuality. He believes that homosexuality involves a "developmental gap" and makes the point that homosexuality is mostly a developmental condition, one that stems from gender identity confusion, rather than today's social-political identity.
Drawing from his knowledge of the Torah, Goldberg traces 3,000 years of rabbinical understandings, premised upon the Torah's authority, to make his point that sexual union is meant to be between one man and one woman. Anything contrary to this design is considered as having "gone astray" (To'eh attah bah). Goldberg explains that although the homosexual act is literally translated in standard bible language as an "abomination," in fact, the Hebrew word "toeivah" incorporates the concepts of forgiveness and mercy. His interpretation, backed by numerous rabbinical commentaries, is that while one may be led astray (To'eh attah bah), the one who was led astray may return to God's chosen path without recrimination (teshuvah).
The book is not limited to homosexuality. It covers several sexual behavioral prohibitions of the Torah and explains each prohibition, including e.g., incest, adultery, bestiality, and many others.
Goldberg, like any person of good ethic, is convinced that clients need autonomy and that gay affirming processes are not a monolithic measure to a client's dimorphic dismay. Clearly, the gay agenda in western society, as of late, have "black-boxed" processes to overcome same sex attraction, even though a large body of evidence exists to show how they may ameliorate unwanted homosexuality.
The book is written in a language that all can understand and youneed not be Jewish to grasp. Those interested in ordering the book can do so through the publisher's web site,http://www.redheiferpress.com The author may be contacted at [email protected].