it is not a relationship thing. negiah is related to niddah which has to do with family purity laws based on a woman's "cleanliness" and "uncleanliness" during menstruation and after childbirth. DISCLAIMER: the hebrew words are translated as "clean" and "unclean" but have a spiritual meaning more than a physical one and the concept is not one i can adequately explain here.
gay orthodox males do not have a probelm with the laws of niddah amongst themselves.
also, i have met many orthodox men who will shake hands with other women in their community if that woman offers her hand first. by offering her hand she is showing that she is not in "her time."
i recognize that these laws may seem ridiculous at best, misogynst at worst to many outside the community.
but i would urge that you be respectful of others regardless of your personal beliefs, at least in your public dealings with them.
their ways may not be yours, or even mine, but imo, orthodox jews have been part of the reason the jewish community is still in existence.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-01-28 01:21 am (UTC)negiah is related to niddah which has to do with family purity laws based on a woman's "cleanliness" and "uncleanliness" during menstruation and after childbirth.
DISCLAIMER: the hebrew words are translated as "clean" and "unclean" but have a spiritual meaning more than a physical one and the concept is not one i can adequately explain here.
gay orthodox males do not have a probelm with the laws of niddah amongst themselves.
also, i have met many orthodox men who will shake hands with other women in their community if that woman offers her hand first. by offering her hand she is showing that she is not in "her time."
i recognize that these laws may seem ridiculous at best, misogynst at worst to many outside the community.
but i would urge that you be respectful of others regardless of your personal beliefs, at least in your public dealings with them.
their ways may not be yours, or even mine, but imo, orthodox jews have been part of the reason the jewish community is still in existence.