Problems With Jewish Interfaith Marriage

By Timothy Adams


It is a time of great rejoicement and nothing should detract from this in the days leading up to the event. Jewish interfaith marriage has become widespread today with the advent of the World Wide Web and online dating sites. It is not the same as years gone by where marriages were arranged between families and partners were chosen from an early age.

This is when a Rabbi comes to the fore and allows the couple the opportunity in preparing for their big day. Parents may object and this is a challenge but if there is love then this overcomes all. It is also problematic when thinking about bringing children into this world but many overcome this by exposing their kids to both faiths.

It does take quite a concerted effort to find out more about a religion if one is not accustomed to its laws and traditions. Research has become easier with the advent of the Internet and many find themselves turning to this tool to acquaint themselves with customs and practices that are foreign to them. It is quite easily achieved online where one can pose questions to learned men such as Rabbis.

Orthodox Rabbis will tend to try and steer the Jewess or Jew in marrying out of the faith and this can prove quite an emotional and taxing exercise. If one has made up their mind that this is how it is going to be then it is probably wisest to discuss these matters with an interfaith Rabbi. He or she is well versed in many of the laws pertaining to this ceremony and can advise one on how to proceed with organising such an event.

Apart from this, knowing a little bit about dietary laws within this religion never hurt nobody. The general rule is that meat cannot be eaten with milk products as this general law is found in the Bible or Torah. Furthermore, only certain animals may be consumed and these include those that have a cloven hoof and chew the cud.

The decision basically boils down whether to have a meat meal or a milk one. These two cannot be mixed as this goes against the laws of kashrut. It is best advice to use a caterer that caters for such events and one that has been accepted as preparing foods that are completely kosher and is recognised by a Jewish Court of Law or Beth Din.

One also needs to be aware as to what animals are kosher and which are not. Animals with a cloven hoof and chew the cud may be consumed after having undergone a ritual slaughterer carried out by someone qualified to do just this. This person is called a Shochet and is well versed in the many laws regarding this as well as being a devout Jew himself.

An interfaith marriage has become more and more desirable today. Jews want the benefits of experiencing a wedding such as this. If in doubt, it is best to speak to those who have done it and how they went about preparing for this special day.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment