Another Ban I Oppose

Rav Shlomo Aviner (Ynet)

There is nothing more important in Halacha than saving a human life. We are to violate every single Mitzvah in the Torah (sans 3 of the 613) to do so. And we should certainly not ban life saving activity for purposes of sending a message. I cannot imagine allowing someone to die because of a boycott targeting the LGBTQ community.

Do not misunderstand. Although I have expressed understanding of homosexuals and support treating  them with the same dignity accorded to all human beings since they too are created in the image of God - I do not support the political agenda of LGBTQ that seeks to normalize  a lifestyle conducive to sin. 

I have also expressed sympathy for people that suffer from gender dysphoria. But I do not support sex re-assignment surgery or dressing and in other ways looking like a member of the opposite sex. all of which are biblically forbidden

The bottom line for me is that no matter how we feel about it, the Torah dictates what we can and cannot do about it.  Which means opposing any organization that wants to normalize sinful behavior or forbidden surgeries.

Unfortunately the State of Israel has embraced the LGBTQ agenda and has been increasingly catering to it.  The latest incarnation of which is reflected by MDA (Magen David Adom) - Israel’s ‘Red Cross’. Instead of their blood donation forms listing the parents as ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ they are listing them as ‘Parent 1’ and ‘Parent 2’.

I agree with those protesting this change. This is yet another step in LGBTQ normalization parade. But I strongly disagree with how the Charedi and Chardal community is doing it. From Ynet:

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported on Thursday its blood bank was suffering from a severe shortage amid a 4-months boycott by some in the Orthodox and National Religious communities. 

Many yeshiva students and members of the Haredi community are considered "regular donors". But since the donation form changed the text to "parent 1" and "parent 2", instead of "mother" and "father", out of consideration for the LGBTQ families, they refused to donate blood. 

MDA reported that currently, the blood shortage is estimated at some 2000 blood doses and has dropped below the red line, causing many surgical operations to be delayed. 

I understand the frustration the religious right has with this trend and sympathize with  them. But at what cost? In this case the cost is too high. You cannot risk sacrificing the life of a fellow Jew on the alter of even a justifiable cause when the price paid might end in someone’s death. These are lines that must never be crossed. I therefore fully reject Rav Shlomo Aviner’s response when he was asked this very question: 

You should ask MDA why they are doing such things while putting people at risk, they have a responsibility.

Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein (Ynet)

I hate to use an old cliché – but it fits: Two wrongs do not make a right. If a life can be saved by 2 people and one of them refuses, you can’t sit idly by and blame the other guy if you can do it.

I suppose it’s true that blood can be given directly to the hospital – hereby circumventing MDA. But that is not what is happening. What is happening is that the pool of Charedi and  Chardal donors has ceased giving blood altogether. Thus causing a severe enough shortage to delay needed surgeries. 

I fully agree with Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein of Tzohar who said the following: 

…there are limits to the protest, and "in this case, the line was crossed," he said. "This is unbelievable, there is nothing more important than human life, what if someone would need blood for surgery? are there no boundaries anymore?" he asked. 

Rabbi Feuerstein also said he also doesn't agree with the new forms… "However, I still don't understand what that has to do with preventing blood donation? I would love to see when one of the protesters will need blood if he will refuse to accept it and endanger his life," he said. 

I would love to see that too.