An article by Steven Kovac in The Epoch Times turns to CJV Managing Director Rabbi Menken for clarification on the authentic Orthodox Jewish position regarding marriage and gender. Kovac addresses a recent incident at a Democratic candidate’s campaign rally in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Marc Aisen, an Orthodox Jew, approached the politician and questioned her position concerning what is being taught to minors in public schools. What Aisen anticipated to be a respectful conversation quickly transformed into a violent brawl, as several of the politician’s supporters began physically attacking Aisen. His only crime was proclaiming his religious beliefs, and requesting that they be respected and honored in tax-supported institutions.

Responding to a question from the writer, Rabbi Menken explains that the Torah teaches that “sexuality is limited, even for adults, to be part of the special bond between husband and wife.”

Menken acknowledges that Orthodox Jews are paying a price for adhering to their religious convictions and sharing about them, saying, “We are called ‘homophobic’ for believing sexuality is between husbands and wives, ‘transphobic’ for believing in biology, ‘misogynist’ for believing fetal life has sacred value …”

He said that Jews face all the same challenges as other traditionalists face in America today, “plus an additional dose of hatred” because of their attachment to Israel.

For that attachment, Menken says Jews are called “colonialists” and “occupiers.”

“I think it’s important to recognize that we are in a battle. People call you a series of hateful names for adhering to traditional, Biblical values,” he said.

Menken believes the point of all the attacks, intimidation, and name-calling “is to cow people into silence, because if there’s an actual marketplace of ideas, you win.”

“So don’t be silent,” he said to encourage those who are scared but want to speak up for their beliefs.

Read the full article in The Epoch Times.