Domestic Violence
Rabbi Goldwasser testifying before the RI House Judiciary Committee in favor of H7575, a bill that would take firearms away from perpetrators of domestic violence.
Judaism teaches us to prevent violence. The Torah teaches, "Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor" (Leviticus 19:16). The commandment is viewed in Jewish tradition as a prohibition against doing nothing while others are dying and while we have the power to save them. Rashi, the great medieval commentator of the Torah gives the specific example that we must act to prevent a person who is in imminent danger of being attacked by a criminal.
We do have such a situation today. There are people who are being attacked by criminals with guns and it is within our power to stop them.
Three women are murdered every day In America in acts of domestic violence. When a domestic abuser owns a gun, the victim is five times more likely to be killed. People who have been convicted of domestic violence should not possess guns. Period.
Legislation in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate would take firearms away from people convicted of domestic violence and those who have been restrained by a protective order related to domestic violence. Similar legislation in the Legislature was killed last year when Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (D-Cranston) refused to allow it to come up for a vote in the House.
Temple Sinai's Social Action Committee is collecting letters to Speaker Mattiello asking him to support this legislation. Your message to the Speaker, especially if you live in his Cranston district, will have a big impact on the passage of the bill. Click below for sample letters.
Our tradition teaches us not to stand idly by the blood of our neighbor. Together, we can choose action over idleness.
We do have such a situation today. There are people who are being attacked by criminals with guns and it is within our power to stop them.
Three women are murdered every day In America in acts of domestic violence. When a domestic abuser owns a gun, the victim is five times more likely to be killed. People who have been convicted of domestic violence should not possess guns. Period.
Legislation in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate would take firearms away from people convicted of domestic violence and those who have been restrained by a protective order related to domestic violence. Similar legislation in the Legislature was killed last year when Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (D-Cranston) refused to allow it to come up for a vote in the House.
Temple Sinai's Social Action Committee is collecting letters to Speaker Mattiello asking him to support this legislation. Your message to the Speaker, especially if you live in his Cranston district, will have a big impact on the passage of the bill. Click below for sample letters.
Our tradition teaches us not to stand idly by the blood of our neighbor. Together, we can choose action over idleness.
| Sample Letters to Speaker Mattiello.docx |
