In Judaism, marriage is considered a sacred covenant, and Jewish law (Halakha) outlines specific relationships and circumstances under which a marriage is forbidden. These prohibitions aim to uphold the sanctity of family, maintain Jewish identity, and adhere to biblical commandments.
Categories of Forbidden Marriages in Judaism
The prohibitions on marriage in Judaism stem from various biblical and rabbinic laws, categorizing relationships that are considered improper or invalid according to Jewish tradition.
1. Marriage to Non-Jews (Intermarriage)
A fundamental prohibition in Judaism is marriage between a Jew and someone not of the Jewish faith. This is a significant aspect of maintaining the distinct identity and continuity of the Jewish people. According to Jewish law, a Jewish person, including a woman, may not marry anyone not of the Jewish faith.
This prohibition is rooted in biblical injunctions against marrying individuals from surrounding nations, primarily due to concerns about idolatry and assimilation. While the modern context might differ, the halakhic prohibition remains steadfast.
For further reading on this topic, you can explore resources on intermarriage in Judaism.
2. Prohibited Lineages (Mamzerim)
One of the most stringent and unfortunate prohibitions involves marrying a mamzer. A mamzer is a person born from a union that is incestuous (such as with a close relative forbidden by biblical law) or adulterous (specifically, a child born to a married woman from a man other than her husband).
A Jewish person, including a woman, may not marry the son or daughter of an adulterous or incestuous union (a mamzer). This prohibition extends through generations, meaning a mamzer can only marry another mamzer or a convert to Judaism, but not a born Jew whose lineage is unblemished. This law highlights the profound importance of marital fidelity and proper lineage within Jewish legal tradition.
3. Incestuous Relationships (Arayot)
The Torah explicitly forbids marriage between close blood relatives and certain relatives by marriage, collectively known as arayot (forbidden sexual relations). These prohibitions are detailed primarily in Leviticus 18 and 20. Violating these laws is considered a severe transgression.
Examples of forbidden incestuous relationships include:
- Parents and children: Marrying one's mother or daughter.
- Siblings: Marrying one's sister (full or half-sister).
- Grandparents and grandchildren: Marrying one's grandmother or granddaughter.
- Aunts and uncles: Marrying one's father's sister or mother's sister (aunt), or mother's brother or father's brother (uncle).
- Nieces and nephews: Marrying one's brother's daughter or sister's daughter (niece), or brother's son or sister's son (nephew).
- In-laws: Such as a daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, stepmother, or the sister of one's wife while the wife is still alive.
4. Priestly Cohanim Restrictions
Men who are Kohanim (descendants of Aaron, the priestly lineage) have additional marital restrictions to maintain their heightened state of ritual purity.
A Kohen is forbidden from marrying:
- A divorcée (gerushah), even if she was previously married to another Kohen.
- A convert (giyoret), a woman who converted to Judaism.
- A chalalah, a woman born from a forbidden union involving a Kohen.
- A prostitute (historically defined as a woman who engaged in certain promiscuous behaviors or a woman who has had forbidden relations).
5. Specific Marital Statuses and Situations
Beyond lineage and priestly rules, other situations also prohibit marriage:
- Remarriage to a former spouse after another marriage: If a man divorces his wife, and she subsequently marries another man and then either divorces him or he dies, the first husband is forbidden to remarry her.
- Sister of a current wife: A man is forbidden to marry his wife's sister while his wife is still alive. This prohibition ceases upon the wife's death.
- Witnessing a forbidden act: In some specific cases, a man who knows his prospective wife was intimate with another man without proper Jewish divorce may be forbidden to marry her.
Summary Table of Forbidden Marriages
| Category | Prohibited Union | Applicable Parties | Reason/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermarriage | Jew and Non-Jew | Jewish man or woman | Maintaining Jewish identity and religious purity |
| Prohibited Lineage | Jew and Mamzer (child of adultery/incest) | Jewish man or woman | Purity of lineage, sanctity of marriage |
| Incestuous Relationships | Close blood relatives (e.g., parents, siblings, aunts, uncles) | All Jews (men and women) | Biblical injunctions (Leviticus 18, 20) |
| Priestly Restrictions | Kohen and Divorcée, Convert, Chalalah, Prostitute | Kohen men | Maintaining priestly sanctity and purity |
| Specific Situations | Remarrying ex-wife after her subsequent marriage | First husband | Biblical injunction |
| Marrying wife's sister (while wife alive) | Man | Biblical injunction |
Understanding the Implications
These laws are central to the framework of Jewish family life and identity. They aim to establish clear boundaries for sexual relations, maintain the purity of lineage, and ensure the unique sacred role of the Jewish people. Marriages that violate these prohibitions are not recognized as valid by Jewish law, and children born from such unions may face specific halakhic consequences, such as being mamzerim themselves, which impacts their future marital eligibility within the Jewish community.
