The ceremony included traditions of the bridegroom, who is Jewish (breaking a glass, representing, he said, “our wish that our lives together would be longer than it would take to fit the broken pieces of glass back together again”)
Eric Cohen
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What do you think about this Yisrael? Your title with the word Torah in quotes suggests you do not take it seriously or even strongly disapprove. As a male Jew myself contemplating marriage to a non-Jew and potential convert to Judaism, I have a problem with the complacent and in fact cruel way that so many Jews dismiss such love matches as "wrong" and criminal etc. etc.
Dear Robert,
I do not disapprove of converts to Judaism as a result of "love matches". I disapprove of mixed ceremonies, without the conversion, so that everyone can feel okay. To have a few trimmings, like breaking the glass together with a few Afro-African customs (you did read the story, right?) without conversion is making a mockery of what you believe in yourself. It's like the "kosher-style" food, either it's kosher or not. What style? As for myself, I honor and respect persons who realize that a spiritual commitment is serious (no matter what set one on the path to Judaism) but neither is it that difficult. Throwaways or gestures are just that. I also think that there is no better religion than Judaism so the more, the merrier.
Thanks for your answer. I like your apparent openness to converts but I'm sure you will agree that in reality our religion (in modern times, at least) has been an abject failure in "welcoming the stranger" into the fold - especially if that "stranger" is a "shiksa". As for myself, a Kohen (if one gives credence to the authenticity of family tradition), traditional Judaism slams shut the door and tells me it cannot happen (alongside the other marital restrictions). So much for love matches. PS - love your new coinage: "Afro-African" ! As opposed to Americo-African or Euro-African or Judaeo-African ... ;-)
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