Lazer Beams

Canadian Jewish News Interview

In anticipation of our forthcoming visits to Toronto and Edmonton, Frances Kraft interviews me in today's Canadian Jewish news. 

The Landlord: A Lesson in Forgiving

Marrying a Niece or Cousin

Dear Rabbi Brody, am I allowed according to Halacha to marry my niece or my cousin? Would there be any medical or genetic dangers? Thank you, NK from the Great Neck area

Dear NK,

Your superb question is mentioned in the Gemara, tractate Yevamot, 62b, on the bottom of the page. Indeed, our sages both encourage and bless anyone that marries a niece. Rashi states that the Gemara is referring specifically to the daughter of a sister; since a man naturally loves his sister, says Rashi, he will have a special affection for a wife who is the daughter of his sister. The Tosephot argue as follows: Rabbenu Tam agrees with Rashi, and says that the mitzva is to marry the daughter of a sister specifically (more than a brother), because the daughter of a sister will bring her husband good fortune and sons who resemble the father. The Rashbam disagrees with Rashi and with Rabbenu Tam, and says that marrying the daughter of a brother is just as good a mitzva as marrying the daughter of a sister. The Rambam, in agreement with the rationale of the Rashbam stipulates (Hilchot Issure Beia, 2:14), that it's a "mitzvat khakhamim", a rabbinical ordnance, to marry a niece, whether she's the daughter of a sister or a brother. As far as practical Halacha goes, The Rama rules that Ikar HaDin (Principle Halacha) is, "It's a mitzva to marry the daughter of a sister", then adds, "There are those who say that it is also a mitzva to marry the daughter of a brother. (See Shulkhan Oruch, Even Ezer 2:6)." In other words, the Rama tends to agree with Rashi and Rabbenu Tam, but doesn't ignore the Rashbam.

As far as the second half of your question, the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a in the name of his grandfather, the holy Shatzer Rov of blessed and saintly memory, that ever since Abraham married his niece Sarah, there has been a blessing among Jews for marrying nieces. Also, the Shatzer Rov wrote that the doctor's warnings about hemophilia and other genetic or medical flaws as in the case of the European monarchies does not apply to a family that observes halacha, most specifically, family purity and refraining from forbidden relations. In short, if you have a worthy niece, whether the daughter of a brother or a sister, you are allowed to marry her; not only that, but you will merit the blessings of our sages from the Gemara. In any event, I strongly urge to test for Tay-Sach's disease before you even begin approaching the prospective match.

As far as cousins go, the Shatzer Rov (see "Or Ganuz, parshat Mattot/Massaei) says that whenever the Torah says "good", according to esoteric tradition and the Arizal, there is an eternal blessing. Hashem told Moshe Rabbenu to tell the daughters of Tslophkhod to marry their cousins (see Bamidbar 36: 5-13), and the Torah says "tov" about it (ibid, verse 6). From here, the Shatzer Rov zatza"l says it's very good to marry a cousin. If it worked for Bnot Tslophkhod, it'll work for you. It's worth noting that quite a few of the Melitzer Rebbe's 12 children are happily married to cousins. It saves a lot of headaches in shidduchim, because you already know the family, the prospective soul mate, and there're much fewer surprises. Let me know the good news. With Blessings always, LB

Zion, Shlomo Katz and Naftali Kalfa

May our eyes see Your return to Zion with love.

The One who restores His Presence to Zion.

May You build it up in our days an everlasting sanctuary.

And prepare the throne of David Your servant.

May the Temple be built and the City of Zion be filled.

And there we will sing a new song, and with joy ascend...

"V'techezena Eynanu", done by Shlomo Katz and Naftali Kalfa, is absolutely gorgeous - see for yourself:

Empty-Handed

The Yetzer Hara, the evil inclination - tries constantly to trick us into neglecting what we're supposed to be doing. He gets us to chase after all kinds of seemingly important but really meaningless endeavors that leave us Empty-Handed. Don't be naive and don't say that Rebbe Nachman didn't warn you, by way of yours truly in this week's Breslev Israel web magazine.

Rav Shalom Arush in The Sound of Music says that if you feel down, start singing or playing music. It's great advice and it works.

Tal Rotem takes us on a trip to the outskirts of an Arab village in the Galilee to the gravesite of the Holy Rebbe Mattia ben Charash.

Racheli Reckles asks in Beauty Exchange, what kind of message are we giving to our girls? Tough question, that needs an answer...

Dr. Zev Ballen has a close call in A Lesson from Uman.

Natalie Kovan compares her evil inclination to a baseball bat in Ms. Louisville Slugger.

Rivka Levy probes a woman's priorities in life in Discovering My Children.

This week's Torah portion is Lech Lecha, and Rabbi Dovid Charlop discusses the difficulties of Abraham's tests of faith in The Tougher Test.

The entire itinerary of our upcoming USA-Canada speaking tour is now posted on the right-hand toolbar of this site. We look forward to seeing you! Bright Beam blessings for a wonderful week!

We'll See You Soon!

The Minefield

Life is like a minefield, strewn with mines of trials and tribulations, which when detonated, try to rip apart our happiness with the lethal shrapnel of depression. Today's emuna lesson shows how to avoid stepping on those mines and therefore how to be really happy. Enjoy!