By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Presidium Rabbinical Alliance of America

The Rabbinical Alliance of America, a National Rabbinic organization with a membership of one thousand ordained orthodox pulpit rabbis, educators and chaplains –serving throughout the USA and Canada, decry the recent action of NYS Assemblyman Charles Lavine, calling to repeal the laws on adultery, as currently on the Empire States books, as being punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500.00 fine.

The notion to repeal and remove Adultery as a Class B felony is because Assemblyman Lavine claims it is an antiquated law, and moreover, historically, utilized in a discriminatory method, against women. Therefore, to protect women, the Assemblyman is calling for its repeal.
This logic is confusing – for adultery wounds deeply, both men and women, partners in marriage, and all too often their child as well.

Thus, the Rabbinical Alliance disagrees with the call for repeal of ‘adultery” from the codex of NYS law, for it will only serve to further weaken the institution of marriage that is foundational for a civilized society.

Furthermore, entertaining actions that contradict the Universally recognized Ten Commandments only serve to undermine the bonds that create a durable and civilized humankind.

We affirm that the proposal by Assemblyman Lavine, as being misguided and misinformed, especially as it also contravenes the Seven Universal Laws of Noah, incumbent and binding upon all of humanity.

It is besides the point of how often these laws are invoked by the State. What is appropriate and important is the imprimatur of official law that upholds and encourages moral and ethical conduct.

For the sake of protecting and encouraging strong family units, we believe, repealing adultery, as a misdemeanor, is both shortsighted and misplaced.

The fact that adultery is proscribed in the Ten Commandments, gives clear direction to all people of moral sensibilities, to uphold these truths and not to be influenced by the “headline grabbing” actions of elected officials, no matter how well-meaning they may be.

May He who makes peace in His heavens, may He make peace for us, Amen.