Mamser
A Mamser or Mamzer (Hebrew: ממזר, Mz. Mamserim , occasionally translated as a bastard ) is, according to Jewish law, the descendant of a forbidden relationship between two Jews. This concerns an adulterous relationship between a man and a married woman, the rape of a married woman (but not an unmarried woman) and incest . If a woman was religiously married and was “only” divorced under civil law - for example because the husband refused to issue a divorce certificate - her children from the second marriage are considered mothers. The illegitimate child of a married father is not considered a mother if the mother is not married herself.
Mamser status is hereditary: whose father or mother is Mamser is also considered Mamser. Mamserim are considered Jews, but are not allowed to marry Jews, except for other Mamserim or those who have converted to Judaism.
These provisions are not generally recognized within Judaism. Liberal currents have not applied these rules since the 19th century. Some Orthodox authorities make do with the legal fiction that mamserim are not viable. Thus, a child who survives infancy cannot be a mother at all.
Consequences in Israel
Serious consequences can the Mamzer status in Israel: rabbinical courts refuse the marriage between Mamsern and other Jews and carry "black lists" of people who marry non-Jews may (besides Mamserim also people who can not prove that they are Jews) . Since there is no civil marriage in Israel, such couples cannot marry in Israel.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Michael Chabin: Doomed At Birth. The Times of Israel , February 12, 2018, accessed August 13, 2018 .
- ↑ Ben Sales: Barring 'bastards': Israel's marriage blacklist said to break privacy laws. The Times of Israel , May 7, 2014, accessed August 13, 2018 .