Advice from Dr Laura
by Frederic I. Preffer
June 2000
For those of you that are not following the recent controversy that has to do
with Laura Schlessinger: she is a radio personality who dispenses advice to
people who call in to her radio show. Paramount Television Group is currently
producing a "Dr. Laura" television show. Recently she has become a convert to
Judaism, and now she is Ba'al T'shuvah. Recently, she has made some
statements about homosexuals that has caused the Canadian anti-hate laws to
censure her....The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura which was posted
on the internet....ENJOY.
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 best follow them.
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
- 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?
- 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?
- A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
Abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality.
I don't agree. Can you settle this?
- 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?
- 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 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?
- 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.
Frederic I. Preffer
Department of Pathology
Charlestown Navy Yard- 7140
Massachusetts General Hospital East
Charlestown, MA 02129