Template for the Revolution
Use widely and wisely:
I wish to complain about your use of rainbow symbolism. This is the symbol of my faith: Noahides are Gentiles who affirm the truth of Judaism (like Newton). The following is a thumbnail sketch. I apologize for the length and links, but it’s important that the precise nature of this complaint is understood. It has nothing to do with hatred or bigotry.
The Torah is a Revelation from G-d. This is not based on faith: G-d’s existence can be demonstrated, and the historicity of the Sinai Revelation is a function of the Kuzari Principle (the eyewitness testimony of a nation). There is exponentially better evidence for Judaism than any other worldview. It’s helpful not to think of it as a “religion.” It’s the universe we inhabit.
The TaNaKh (“Old Testament”) is divided into three sections. The most important is the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Only the Torah was written by G-d. Moses was His stenographer. It was originally written before Creation, in “letters of black fire on a scroll of white fire.” It’s the DNA of reality.
The Nevi’im (Prophets) were written by human beings under the spirit of Nevu’ah (prophecy). They are not equal to the Torah and do not change it. The Ketuvim (Writings or Hagiographa) is a step below the Prophets. It was written under Ruach HaKodesh (Divine inspiration). The Nevi’im and Ketuvim were canonized by the Men of the Great Assembly and are only in the TaNaKh until Moshiach comes.
The “upshot” is that Jews have 613 Commandments. Gentiles are obligated to observe the Seven Laws of Noah. Conversion is not required. This is the position of Orthodox Judaism. This is the position of the G-d who created and sustains the universe, the Holy One, blessed be He. Views to the contrary, both secular and religious, are mistaken. In the Messianic Era all of mankind will know this. May it come soon.
The pride flag appropriates the symbol of an Everlasting Covenant, a sign of G-d’s mercy, symbol of the Noahide Laws. For thousands of years, to billions of people (mostly Christians), the rainbow represented a Divine promise, not what pride celebrations ascribe to it (since 1978). Upon seeing a rainbow, Orthodox Jews pray,
A rainbow pattern veiled the Tabernacle. Ezekiel described the glory of G-d as “Like the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud on a rainy day.” This is why the Talmud warns against staring at them. In the Zohar it is written that a rainbow illuminating the world will appear before Moshiach comes. Rainbows are ubiquitous in Noahide writings. (And the increasing number of Noahides is the fulfillment of prophecies. Maimonides wrote that a special Providence protects us).
Whether consciously or not, this organization (school, company, whatnot) is committed to the inaccuracy of Judaism and Western monotheism: the rainbow symbolizes a promise from Almighty G-d. It is neither frivolous nor celebratory. This is a hostile environment for Torah-observant
employees, Christians, and Muslims. How many are too intimidated to
complain? I bear witness before HaShem, the True Judge, the King of kings, this is evil.
Any harassment policy forbids intimidation, ridicule, insult and other offensive conduct. Consequently, stop using rainbow symbolism like this. I normally don’t proselytize or criticize other worldviews. I ask the same of them. The extent to which organizations can remain free of theology is hard to overstate. Expecting me to recognize pride celebrations as anything other than idolatrous, blasphemous pagan ceremonies constitutes an illegal nullification of my faith. We can't both be right. True inclusivity would require neutrality.
The endpoint of human history will not be diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mankind's telos is a worldwide Torah Theocracy characterized by peace and universal knowledge of the One True G-d. May it begin immediately.
This group (school, business, etc.) has been a tremendous conduit of chesed (loving kindness). Keep it that way. If you're against evil, obey HaShem. If you're opposed to HaShem, then YOU are evil.
Estimated Prophet, Gonzo Noahide
Postscript:
We ascribe great cosmological significance to the rainbow. Indeed, the Torah devotes four psukim in Genesis (9:12-16) to the rainbow. These psukim explain that that the rainbow is a promise between HaShem and mankind never again to destroy the world through a flood. Halachic Analysis: All About Rainbows
***
Among the many blessings said on natural phenomenon is a special blessing on the rainbow. This blessing, which acknowledges that HaShem "remembers the covenant", recognizes the rainbow not only as a wonder of nature but also as a sign of G-d’s covenant with Noah – a covenant which is really at the root of human existence! Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir
***
In order to reassure him, HaShem showed Noach the sign of the rainbow, which represents the pathways of repentance and the ability to find HaShem everywhere, even in the darkness of the material world. Breslov on Parshas Noach
***
The rainbow represents Divine enlightenment, a refraction of G-d’s light, as it penetrates into our physical world. Why does the Torah emphasize that the rainbow is "in the clouds"? Clouds represent our emotional and physical aspects, just as clouds are heavy and dark (the Hebrew word geshem means both "rain" and "physical matter"). The covenant of the "rainbow in the clouds" indicates that the Divine enlightenment (the rainbow) now extended from the realm of the intellect, where it existed before the Flood, to the emotional and physical spheres (the clouds). G-d’s rainbow of light now also penetrated the thick clouds of the material world.
How was this accomplished? The Divine light became "clothed" in a more physical form – concrete mitzvot. G-d gave to Noah the first and most basic moral code: the seven laws of the Noahide code. These commandments served to bridge the divide between intellect and deed, between the metaphysical and the physical. Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook
***
HaShem unrolls a parchment of majesty across the horizon, showing a
Face of beauty and love, even at the darkest moments of harsh reproof.
In a message that transmits strength and hope, HaShem instills within us
the perspective that we are truly good and upright people who have only
fallen far, far from the true loftiness of our souls, and have but to
turn around to live once again true to the purity of our true selves. Rabbi Yisroel Berenbaum
***
[T]he rainbow is said to be the natural representative and revelation of G-d's honor in this world. Rabbi Ari Enkin
***
Rashi on Genesis 9:14 explains that the rainbow recalls G-d's anger and His desire to destroy the world because of our misdeeds. In that understanding, a rainbow is not a particularly fortuitous sign; it's basically G-d saying, "I really should destroy you but I promised not to." A rainbow is not a bow like a hair ribbon; it's a bow as in "bow and arrow." The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that G-d is pointing His bow away from us as a sign that He's not going to shoot His metaphorical arrows at mankind. Jew In The City
***
Dr. Jeremy England, MIT physicist, discusses the Tachash: a rainbow Unicorn used to construct the Mishkan
***
Torah Anytime on the significance of rainbows
***
'Noah and the rainbow' seems to bear the hallmark of the Sabbath and seems, in a very interesting kind of way, to be the reflection of the Sabbath. It's almost as if what the Sabbath was to the world's Creation, the covenant of the rainbow was to the reCreation. Rabbi David Fohrman
***
Through the service of repentance that is a level of "returning light," a spiritual rainbow is created that has within it three primary colors which correspond to G-d's "primary" attributes of Kindness, Judgment, Mercy. This concept teaches us that the service of repentance needs to be in these three ways of Kindness, Judgment and Mercy... Through repenting here below in these three ways, we draw down from above the rainbow of G-dliness with the three primary "colors" that are in it: Kindness, Judgment and Abounding Mercy. Through this, the three basic powers of spiritual impurity in this world are nullified, as it is written, "I erased like a thick cloud..." (Isaiah 44:22) Thus the impure powers are completely erased, in way of purity. The Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson
***
What if Judaism Is True But You're Irish?!
Comments