Intermarriage

The subject of intermarriage comes up as we learn more about Yakov and Eisav. We see the strong emotions felt by their parents.

The Torah tells us that when Eisav was forty, he married to Hittite women, Yehudit and Basmat. He tried to give the impression that he was emulating his father who married at this age.

The reaction of Yitzchak and Rivka is that they were filled with מורת רוח, “a bitterness of spirit.” In other words, they were heartbroken that their grandchildren would be descendants of the evil Canaan nations.

Later, when Yakov flees from Eisav, his mother warns him not to intermarry. She uses the words, קצתי בחיי, “I am fed up with my life, if you choose a wife outside of our faith. Yakov obeys and goes to her family to find a wife.

It seems that with all of the events of the last two years, and the challenges of worldwide antisemitism, the subject of intermarriage does not come up.

Reading the weekly Torah portion reminds us of the tragedy of Jews willingly leaving their faith. Nevertheless, there are some encouraging signs.There has never been so much interest in converting to Judaism, since the days of David and Solomon. There is a spiritual awakening in Israel, inspired in large part by the war and inspiration of the hostages.

Hopefully, the realization that we stand alone with G-d, and He is watching over us, will inspire all those that have gone astray, to come home.

There should be an end to the bitterness of spirit and the heartbroken feelings that too many of us have realized. The plague of intermarriage, should end once and for all.