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More Than Friendship
This week, we have the opportunity to read a Haftarah that is rarely chanted. When Shabbat falls on Erev Rosh Chodesh (the eve of the New Moon / New Month), and if there are no other special occasions or readings, then, in synagogues, we read a special Haftarah from the beautiful love story of David and Jonathan (I Samuel 20:18-42).
In the chapters preceding the Haftarah, we’ve already met David, who has slain Goliath, becoming a popular war hero and wins the favor of King Saul and his son, Jonathan. While David and Jonathan are just beginning their friendship, King Saul becomes increasingly jealous of David’s popularity, so much so that he attempts to kill David several times. This drives David into hiding.
Our haftarah begins with an explanation from Jonathan that the next day will be the new moon and that David will be missed at his father’s, King Saul’s, Rosh Chodesh feast. It would be expected of a military leader to attend such an affair, but it would also put David in grave danger. They come up with a plan for Jonathan to see how the king responds to David’s absence. When Jonathan offers an excuse for David after King Saul questions his absence, King Saul throws a spear at his own son, enraged at him for protecting the enemy.
Jonathan goes to deliver the message to David about his safety and the two embrace and weep together. Jonathan tells David to “Go in Peace” and to remember the covenant made to each other. Many modern commentators accept the relationship between David and Jonathan as romantic, the promises made to each other akin to marriage.
The Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis, has long held that each person is precious regardless of gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. The RA has a record of inclusion that spans decades and recently reasserted these values in a statement of condemnation for the anti-LGBTQ+ laws currently being introduced in state houses throughout the US.
I encourage you to be informed about legislation in our own state. I, along with the Rabbinical Assembly, believe these bills cause harm and promote unfair and unequal treatment to LGBTQ+ persons. By censuring learning and discussion, by punishing business which create safe spaces for the members of the LGBTQ+ businesses, by limiting healthcare - both physical and mental - for transgender people, these bills place people in the LGBTQ+ community in danger as well ignores the best practice medical standards of care and the educational work that creates for a world filled with peace.
וַיּוֹסֶף יְהוֹנָתָן לְהַשְׁבִּיעַ אֶת־דָּוִד בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ אֹתוֹ כִּי־אַהֲבַת נַפְשׁוֹ אֲהֵבוֹ׃
Jonathan, out of his love for David, adjured him again, for he loved him as himself.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Blatt
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