עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it Permissible for a Woman Who Was with a Non-Jew to Marry a Cohen?
Question
Hello, esteemed Rabbi,
Thank you very much for your response, first of all.
I have a friend who is returning to observance, and part of her past relationships were not only with Jewish men...
Now that she has returned to observance, she met a young man and they are dating... very much in love... but the young man is a Cohen.
The situation is very painful for both sides because she did not want to lie about her past...
I want to know if there is a way to permit this without undermining the status of the Cohen.
Answer
Dear Sir, If that woman had relations with a non-Jew, unfortunately, I have no good news, because the halacha is that she is forbidden to marry a Cohen (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer 6:8), and there is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel to permit this prohibition — if he is truly a Cohen. The fact that she sincerely regrets and has fully returned to observance will indeed benefit her in removing heavenly judgement; however, the prohibition of marrying a Cohen remains in place. The great difficulty is fully understandable, but they should know that in the current situation they certainly are not the predestined match for one another, and with Hashem's help, in merit of overcoming and standing firm in this test, each one will find their true match easily and quickly. Good news soon, Hillel Meirs
