NARR 336-337

CCAR RESPONSA

New American Reform Responsa

211. Marriage Between Mehutamin

QUESTION: The father of the groom and mother of the bride who recently married in my congregation have been seeing each other on a social basis. May they marry? How does this effect the relationship of the children? (Rabbi Alan H. Greenbaum, Thousand Oaks CA)ANSWER: The forbidden degrees of marriage were listed in the Bible (Lev 20.11-21; Deut 23.3; 27.20-23). The Talmud extended these prohibitions either by direct extension or analogy. Sometimes it also did so in order to carry out the intent of the Biblical statement which may not have been clear (Yeb 21a; 49a; 62b; J Yeb 2.4). These forbidden degrees of relationships are further clarified in the later codes (Yad Hil Ishut 1.1 ff; Hil Issurei Biah 2.7 ff; Tur and Shulhan Arukh Even Haezer 15.1 ff; 2.1 ff). Marriages between prohibited degrees which took place despite the prohibition were considered invalid (en tofsin) and were dissolved through a divorce (Kid 67b; Yad Hil Ishut 4.12 f; Shulhan Arukh Even Haezer 15.1; 44.6 f). As one reads through the lengthy discussion of these marriages, the question which you asked has also been discussed. Such marriages were specifically mentioned by the Talmud and the later codes, and for that matter a marriage between children of a widower and a widow, who had married each other and thereby became step-brother and step-sister, was also permitted (Sota 43b; Shulhan Arukh Even Haezer 15.11). There was some discussion among Palestinian scholars as to whether such a marriage between step-brother and step-sister should be permitted as it might not appear proper, but the law agreed that it was permissible. It is clear from this Talmudic discussion that the marriage which the couple in question contemplate has always been considered appropriate and I hope that these individuals have a happy future together.February 1989

If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.