A bill calling for prison time and fines for those who perform circumcision on any male under the age of 18 was rejected by the Judiciary Committee of the Massachusetts state legislature. The text of the proposed measure specifically mandated that no exception be given, even though the law would obstruct religious observance of the commandment of circumcision.The measure also called upon the Department of Public Health to implement an educational program to discourage religious groups from carrying out the commandment of circumcision.
A goal of the legislation, according to an advocate group’s website, included enforcement by local police.
In a letter to the Committee following their vote, the Community Guardians Group (CGG) wrote that the people of Massachusetts “are inheritors of a rich heritage of courageous thinkers and leaders who have sought to advance the causes of righteousness and justice for all people… But there are also matters which lie outside the power entrusted to government.” The CGG mentioned that included among the things not to be restricted by government, is the commandment of circumcision, given by G-d Almighty.
The CGG offered thanks to G-d that this attack on their religion was halted, and commended the members of the Judiciary Committee for definitively rejecting this hateful plan.
The Community Guardians Group, under the leadership and in cooperation with some of the most respected Torah leaders, is an association of frum Jews united in opposition to any law seeking to limit their ability to faithfully serve G-d.
{PRNewswire/Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
wow, and some people thought that in America they were immune from hatred of the Torah!
The proposal is from a tiny interest group that repeatedly fails to introduce this bill in various states
There is nothing new with hatred for Torah in America! Special interest groups have long been trying to put a stop to various “rituals”. Shchita is among the more popular ones.
I still remember more than 20 years ago in the downtown Brooklyn court house, I was actually reprimanded in public by the officiating judge for not realizing on my own that it is appropriate to remove one’s hat in a court room. Even after I swiftly removed my Stetson off my head, I was made to feel really unpatriotic for refusing to remove my yarlmulka.
But our country is a medina shel chesed. We cannot forget how lucky we are. Our own brothers in Israel do not even enjoy the same liberties that we do. Boruch Hashem!