Letter to Dr. Laura
For those of you that are not familiar
with Dr. Laura Schlessinger, she is a radio and television personality who
dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. She is a convert to
Judaism and has dispensed advice based on her interpretation of the Bible.
The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident, which was
posted on the Internet . . .
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have
learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as
many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for
example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an
abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding
some of the specific laws and how to follow them.
a. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b. I would like to sell my
daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what
do you think would be a fair price for her?
c. I know that I am allowed no
contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.
15:19-24). The problem is: how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women
take offense.
d. Lev. 25:44 states that I
may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased
from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans,
but not Canadians Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e. I have a neighbor who
insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put
to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f. A friend of mine
feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 1:10), it is a
lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g. Lev. 21:20 states that I
may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to
admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there
some wiggle room here?
h. Most of my male friends get
their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is
expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
i. I know from Lev.
11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still
play football if I wear gloves?
j. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14).
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can
help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and
unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.