Anaya Nolan
Marrying one's first cousin is a topic of debate in Jewish law. While it is not prohibited by Jewish law, it is forbidden if the marriage poses medical problems. This is due to the increased risk of birth defects in children born to first cousins, which is between 4-7% compared to 3-4% for unrelated parents. The discovery of genetic diseases such as Tay Sachs, which is common among Ashkenazi Jews, has made such marriages problematic from a medical standpoint. As a result, social norms have changed, and while not forbidden by Jewish law, it is not socially acceptable within the Jewish community. Additionally, Orthodox Jews are obligated to obey local laws, and many US states and other locations worldwide forbid cousin marriages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marrying first cousins in Jewish law | Not prohibited |
| Marrying cousins in Jewish culture | Historically common, but now considered taboo |
| Marrying cousins in Orthodox Jewish communities | Depends on local laws |
| Marrying cousins in the Torah | Not forbidden |
| Marrying cousins in Karaite Jewish communities | Forbidden |
| Marrying cousins in Israel | Rare among Ashkenazi Jews, more common among other Jewish Israelis |
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What You'll Learn
Cousin marriages are not prohibited by Jewish law
According to Jewish law, cousin marriages are not prohibited. In fact, they were common until the 20th century, especially in small, isolated communities. However, social norms and attitudes towards cousin marriages have shifted over time, and it is now considered socially unacceptable in many places.
In the Torah, Leviticus 18:6 states, "None of you shall approach one of his own flesh to uncover nakedness," which might be interpreted to include cousins. However, the Torah's definition of incest is not based on endogamy or inbreeding. For example, relationships with a stepmother are considered incestuous in Jewish law, even without a genetic link. The basis of this law is not the potential for birth defects but rather respect for one's father.
The Bible also provides examples of cousin marriages, such as Zelophehad's daughters marrying their cousins (Numbers 36:11), which is seen as a precedent for the practice. Additionally, in rabbinic law, a man marrying his sister's daughter is not only permitted but promoted as an ideal marriage.
Despite cousin marriages being legally permissible, if there are medical concerns or genetic risks associated with the union, it would be forbidden for that reason alone. This is because Jews have a general obligation to protect their health and safety, as stated in Deuteronomy 4:15. With the discovery of certain genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs, which is common among Ashkenazi Jews, marriage between close relatives has become problematic from a medical standpoint.
It is worth noting that while Jewish law does not prohibit cousin marriages, local laws and regulations may come into play. Orthodox Jews, for example, are obligated to follow local laws as long as they do not violate Torah law. Therefore, the legality of cousin marriages for Orthodox Jews can vary depending on their location.
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Genetic diseases make marriage between close relatives problematic
Marriage between close relatives is a longstanding practice in human history. Consanguineous marriages, where spouses are related by blood, have been common in many cultures and communities, including Jewish communities. However, the primary medical concern with such marriages is the increased risk of genetic disorders in offspring. When closely related individuals reproduce, there is a higher probability that both parents carry the same genetic mutation, which increases the likelihood of recessive genetic disorders in their children. This situation is further exacerbated by the Founder Effect, where a small founding population carries a mutation that can be easily disseminated through successive generations if they marry closer relatives.
In Jewish communities, the practice of marrying cousins was historically common, especially in small villages and isolated communities. However, with the advent of the 20th century, social norms began to shift, and certain genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs, came to light, making marriage between close relatives problematic from a medical standpoint. While Jewish law does not explicitly prohibit cousin marriages, it does emphasize the importance of protecting one's health and safety. As such, if a marriage between close relatives poses significant medical risks, it would be discouraged or even forbidden within the Jewish community.
The risks associated with consanguineous marriages extend beyond single-gene disorders. Reduced genetic diversity can affect complex traits and overall population health, leading to reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Additionally, the accumulation of deleterious mutations over generations can result in a higher prevalence of multifactorial diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. These factors contribute to the broader health and genetic resilience concerns within communities that practice endogamy.
To address these concerns, some countries with high rates of consanguineous marriages, such as Qatar, have implemented mandatory premarital genetic screening to identify risks for various disorders. While genetic screening can help mitigate some of the medical effects of endogamy, it does not eliminate all risks. Urbanization, migration, increased genetic literacy, and changing social norms may also contribute to decreasing rates of consanguineous marriages over time.
In summary, genetic diseases and the increased risk of genetic disorders make marriage between close relatives problematic. While Jewish law does not explicitly prohibit cousin marriages, the discovery of significant medical risks associated with such unions has led to a shift in social norms within Jewish communities. The potential health consequences, coupled with the availability of genetic screening and changing societal perspectives, have made marriage between close relatives less common and generally discouraged, especially in the case of first cousins.
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Local laws dictate whether Orthodox Jews can marry their cousins
The Torah's definition of incest is not based on endogamy, or "inbreeding". For example, relations with one's stepmother are considered incestuous in Jewish law, despite the absence of a genetic link. The Torah could permit consanguinity, even if there was a heightened threat of birth defects. If a real danger were discovered, rabbis worldwide would likely speak out against it, as Jews have a general obligation to protect their health and safety.
The Torah states, "None of you shall approach one of his own flesh to uncover nakedness" (Leviticus 18:6). However, the Torah's definition of incest need not align with society's or science's. Indeed, the Torah permits consanguinity. Cousin marriages are not prohibited in Judaism and were common until the 20th century, especially in small communities. Social norms have changed, and certain genetic diseases, such as Tay Sachs, have been identified, making marriage between close relatives problematic from a medical standpoint. While Jewish law does not require adhering to social norms, it is not socially acceptable to breach them.
Orthodox Jews are obligated to obey local laws, as long as they do not violate Torah law. Therefore, whether an Orthodox Jew can marry their cousin depends on the local laws of the country or state in which they reside. For example, it is permissible in New York, Canada, Alabama, Alaska, Brazil, and many other US states, but not in Michigan, Oregon, or North Korea.
Historically, cousin marriages have been more common among Jews than the general population. For example, in the Middle Ages, the Ghirondi family, to which several prominent Jews belonged, married relatives for several generations. Additionally, famous individuals such as Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Christopher Robin Milne married their cousins.
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The Torah's definition of incest is not based on endogamy
The Torah states, "None of you shall approach one of his own flesh to uncover nakedness" (Leviticus 18:6). This statement is open to interpretation, and the Torah's definition of incest is not solely based on genetic relationships. For example, according to Jewish law, relations with one's stepmother are considered incestuous, even if there is no biological relationship. This remains true even if the stepmother is widowed or divorced. The basis of this law is not to prevent birth defects, but rather to promote respect for one's father.
The Torah's prohibition of incest is not solely based on genetic relationships or the prevention of birth defects. Medieval Jewish thinkers found that this was an insufficient explanation for the Torah's prohibitions. Instead, the incest laws may be based on unknown reasons or serve a social function, as suggested by Rabbi Joseph ibn Kaspi.
While cousin marriages are not explicitly prohibited in the Torah, they can pose medical problems due to the increased risk of genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs, which is more common among Ashkenazi Jews. As a result, cousin marriages are now less common due to social norms and health concerns. However, the decision to marry a cousin is ultimately left to the individual, and Jewish law does not prohibit it.
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The Talmudic rabbis did not restrict marriage opportunities
The Talmudic rabbis offered praise to a wife who fulfils the wishes of her husband. They also outlined the husband's obligations to his wife during marriage, including providing for her sustenance and clothing, and the conditions of inheritance upon his death. The Talmud forbids a husband from being overbearing to his household and condemns domestic abuse.
While there are some prohibited marriages in Jewish law, such as with certain close blood relatives, the ex-wives of close blood relatives, or a woman who has not been validly divorced from her previous husband, cousin marriages are not explicitly forbidden. In fact, cousin marriages were common in Jewish communities until the 20th century, especially in small villages or isolated communities. However, social norms have since changed, and the discovery of certain genetic diseases has made marriage between close relatives problematic from a medical standpoint.
While Jewish law has not changed to prohibit cousin marriages, the circumstances have shifted. As such, while it may not be forbidden by Jewish law, it is not socially acceptable within the Jewish community to marry one's cousin, as it is considered taboo due to the influence of American Christianity.
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Frequently asked questions
Marrying your first cousin is not prohibited in Judaism, and it was common until the 20th century, especially in small communities. However, it is not socially acceptable anymore, and due to the risk of genetic diseases, it is now considered forbidden.
Orthodox Jews are obligated to obey local laws, so they cannot marry their cousins in places where it is forbidden, such as Michigan, Oregon, and North Korea.
The Torah does not explicitly forbid marriages between cousins. In fact, it mentions that Zelophehad's daughters married their cousins (Numbers 36:11). However, it does forbid relationships between an uncle and niece.
While it may not be forbidden, marrying a close relative can lead to health defects and genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs, which is more common among Ashkenazi Jews. Therefore, it is recommended that couples considering such marriages undergo genetic screening.
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