Intermarriage

Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Mesivta

Rambam Mesivta, Lawrence, NY

Aside from the halachic violations involved in intermarriage, there are many serious philosophical problems as well. The Rambam states that relationships between Jews and non-Jews cause identification and association to idolatry. The Torah itself (Exodus 34:15) links the attraction to idolatry to intermarriage: “…lest you eat from their pagan sacrifices and take from their daughters (wives for) your sons.” There is, however, another aspect that should be addressed. Jews throughout the ages have been oppressed, tortured and murdered by non-Jews in the name of the various religions. The Christian crusades are one such example. The Nazis, with the tacit approval of the church perpetrated mass murder of millions of Jews simply because they were Jews. It is incomprehensible that any individual with a vestige of Jewish identity should condone or engage in intermarriage. Countless Jews throughout the ages sacrificed their lives Al Kiddush Hashem rather than succumb to idolatrous practices. Jews who intermarry are awarding the Nazis their ultimate goal – the destruction of the Jewish People.