ernar-75622 Review of Trembling Before G-d

Trembling Before G-d (2001)

For thoughtful people of all beliefs

[8/10 · 27 September 2020]

Trembling before G-d documentary illustrates Judaism's attitude to homosexuality. It is based on the painful stories of different LGBT community members. The film also presents the opinions of psychotherapists, researching the problem of homosexuality in Jewish society, and rabbis (in Judaism means an academic title confirming knowledge of the Torah and Talmud, as well as having the right to resolve religious and domestic issues of the community). It reminded me of another documentary A Jihad for Love, which describes a relationship between Islam and homosexuality. One of the interesting things about this religion is in the title of this movie. Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, where God is one and is the creator of everything, that is why Jews, as a sign of respect, avoid mentioning his name in writing, so that it is not erased or destroyed. Instead, they write G-d. The position of Judaism towards homosexuality is widely known. According to the Torah, it is a mortal sin: "And if a man lies with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed a detestable act: They shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Leviticus 20:13). Opponents of the recognition of homosexuality as the norm claim that this is a rebellion against God. So, the main problem faced by gays and lesbians is combining their faith in Judaism, life in the community on equal terms, and their orientation. One of the features of religions is that Jews consider themselves the chosen people who made a covenant with God to bring light to this world, so perhaps they believe that if a person differs by physiological characteristics, he cannot be chosen by God and it could worsen the plight of gay people in Israel. When a person admits that he is gay, he has a choice: to be treated or to leave the community and be a hermit, and many commit suicides. Therefore, LGBT people often hide their orientation and live an ordinary Jewish life: they pray, get married the opposite sex, have children because, according to the Torah, a family is the basis of society, and it is preferable to follow the path that is already outlined. However, such a life is often full of pain, mental health problems, pressure, and many cannot stand it because it is challenging to hide emotions and feelings. Those few who choose the treatment path are also unhappy because they have to struggle with themselves all their lives to no avail, alone and detached from the community. One rabbi said that the ideal life of believing gay is not to show his sexual needs and preferences. Judging by the film, rabbis are divided into two types: those who are decisively against the manifestation of their unusual orientation, and those who seem to support such people but see only one way out of the situation: to threat homosexuality, which consists in prayers (reading psalms) and suppressing libido. This is very frustrating since it seems that there is no way out of such a situation, and it is impossible to be a correct Jew and homosexual at the same time. David's story is both shocking and depressive. It shows how purposeful and strong spirit a person can be when striving for faith so that people accept him as he is. After watching this documentary, it seems to me that most of the adherents of Judaism are trembling before the community, but not God. One of the main principle and tenet of this religion is that God treats everyone with dignity and respect and everyone was created in his image, so why a person who follows all 613 commandments of the Torah and lives the 'right' life is a mortal sinner only because of his sexual orientation, which he did not choose voluntary and cannot change? The movie told the story about a gay who came to a respected nationwide rabbi and asked why a man might be attracted to a woman? Rabbi was at a loss because there are no real reasons for this. This is something inherent in nature, so as the attraction of men to each other. Thus, maybe religious leaders simply did not deeply address the reasons for being homosexual and subconsciously want to oppose the LGBT movement's propaganda, but not against gays and lesbians believers as such. Trembling Before G-d is a very emotional and though-provoking attempt to show that everyone can become a religious and 'correct' Jew despite orientation. Just because someone is an LGBT representative does not mean he is sick, spoiled, or distant from God and cannot believe. It was filmed in 2001 but is still relevant as gays and lesbians face the same problems nowadays.