The Epstein Files have taken over our news and our social media feeds as victims still await justice. Once upon a time, I too was a victim of a pedophile, awaiting justice that never came. One question plagued me. With all G-d had to say about sexual relations, how was the Torah silent on such an important issue? That question plagued me, despite how much I loved G-d, till well into my adult life. I’m sure the victims now have a similar question. What does the Torah say about the Epstein Files?
An Answered Prayer Found In The Torah For Epstein Victims
In college, I got the answer and learned what the Torah says. The Torah’s message about child predators has been forgotten. This is because the verses have been misinterpreted and weaponized against the LGBT community. However, that message is still there for those willing to hear it. The message that G-d cares about the victims of pedophilia is needed now more than ever. Just as needed is the Torah’s wisdom about how to deal with pedophiles. I hope that the victims find this article, and that it offers them peace to know what the Torah says about the Epstein Files.
Verses Pertaining to Pedophilia, Such As Epstein, In The Torah
We often hear “A man must not lie with a man as with a woman” quoted in relation to gay men. However, in Hebrew, this verse tells a different story. The words for male here are ish and zakar. As David Instone-Brewer points out in his paper, “Are there two types of men in Leviticus 20:13:” “If the purpose of the law was to forbid sexual activity between two people of the same sex, we would expect two identical terms for “man” to emphasize their similarity.” Yet the Torah uses two different words. That means it was trying to convey a different message. In his paper David argues this is to show the law only applies if one of the men is homoerotic.
However, I have a different theory. The Torah Temimah teaches us that ish excludes a minor. Zakar is used to refer to a man of any age. Thus, the verse Leviticus 20:13 reads, “A man should not lie with a boy as he does with a man.” This makes sense in The Torah. In the ancient world idols were worshipped through temple prostitution with young boys.
Idolatry In Torah
This is especially true of the god Molech and his goddess Ashtoreth. Interestingly, both this verse and the verse in Leviticus 18 about men not lying with each other are surrounded by verses about Molech. Preceding this verse in Leviticus 20:03-5 The Torah says, ” 3 I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people; for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name. 4 If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death, I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all those who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molech.”
Here G-d reminds us as a community that all of us who look away and close our eyes to the atrocity of pedophilia or the Epstein Files is guilty of idolatry and will pay along with the pedophiles. To continue to support those who have committed the crimes is to commit the crimes ourselves. This is a call for justice and if we do not deliver G-d will and we too will pay the price.
Immediately preceding Leviticus 18:22 which reads, “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable,” we find a verse about Molech. 18:21 reads, “‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.”
Modern Scholarship Of Torah
Molech being mentioned near each of these verses suggests the real issue is idol worship, which involved sex with young boys. Combined with the use of two words for male as well as the mentions of Molech, most definitely point to these verses being about temple prostitution and pedophilia. Most modern scholarship agrees. Even the most conservative Bibles mention the possibility of temple prostitution being the real reason for the verses in their footnotes.
G-d’s Vengeance Against Epstein
Thus, the Torah and G-d does speak specifically about crimes against children such as those recorded in the Epstein files. In The Torah God forbid the actions Epstein took against these victims. In fact, God said men who do this should be put to death. Going further, God said if the community fails to put them to death, he will do so himself. That is exactly what we saw happen to Epstein. I suspect we will soon see the same with the other pedophiles mentioned in the Epstein files. If we as a community do not do as our God has commanded us and put these men and (unbelievably) women to death, he will.
To the victims, God loves you. He spoke out for you, and he will take action for you, even when your community fails you. While we wait for justice from a jury. know that God is enacting his own justice for the victims of Epstein. You are not alone. I and many others stand with you. G-d stands with you against Epstein and all pedophiles.
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