That Verse in Deuteronomy: Reclaiming a Torah of Pride, Not Pain
A single verse in this week's Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, has been used for centuries to exclude and shame transgender and queer people. But is that what the Torah truly intends? In this Pride Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Adrian Schell explores our tradition as a vast, ancient house we inherit—a place of beautiful, light-filled rooms, but also difficult corners. By bravely entering one of these "cold rooms" and examining the notes left by our ancestors like Rashi and Maimonides, we discover that the verse's original purpose was not to shame identity, but to forbid deceit and prevent harm. This sermon reframes a weaponised text as a call for authenticity and challenges us to ensure our "house of tradition" is a warm, safe, and welcoming home for all, illuminated by the central truth that every person is created in the image of God.