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Date Posted: 18:45:14 01/15/13 Tue
Author: t
Subject: fb285


Can a Rabbi Get Married?
By Aron Moss

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Question:

I was wondering whether rabbis are allowed to get married. In my religion, the priests do not marry; is it the same in Judaism?

Answer:

I once had this exact conversation with a taxi driver. He was Catholic, and asked me if rabbis marry. I told him that not only are rabbis allowed to marry, they are obligated to marry. “Be fruitful and multiply” is a command to all, regardless of career or position in the community.

The taxi driver shook his head and said, “You Jews have got it good. In my community, when someone is dating and confused, or is going through a rough patch in his marriage, or needs guidance on how to discipline their kids, who should we turn to? Our celibate priest? He wouldn’t have a clue what it means to argue with your wife, he’s never been dumped, and certainly doesn’t have a kid that pokes other kids’ eyes out. If I have a question in theology, or need to know which prayers to say, then sure, I’ll go to him. But real-life issues—he can’t help me!”

This taxi driver’s comments brought home for me an important truth. Judaism does not differentiate between “clergy” and “laymen.” Whether you are a rabbi or a taxi driver, you are expected to live a “normal” life, to be involved with the struggles and pleasures of the mundane world.

But it works the other way as well. Whether you are a taxi driver or a rabbi, you are expected to make your everyday mundane world a home for G‑d. The Torah’s ideal is to create a society of holy people. Sanctity and morality are not the domain of rabbis alone: every individual must live to the same standard, and each one of us can engage in direct dialogue with G‑d and Torah.

The rabbi is there just to help others bridge the needs of the spirit with the realities of life. But he has to do the same in his own life.

Perhaps that cab was a microcosm of an ideal world. What could be more beautiful than a society in which taxi drivers share spiritual wisdom, and rabbis change diapers?

BY ARON MOSS
Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia, and is a frequent contributor to Chabad.org.
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The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.

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SORT BY:NewestOldestDISCUSSION (6)
January 14, 2013
I once asked my Rabbi if something was kosher or allowed, and when I didn't like his answer, I further qualified: "Is this for you, or for me". I will forever remember his reply: "There is no difference. The law is the same for all of us." That forever changed the way I looked at Jewish law.
Anonymous
Seattle, WA
November 2, 2011
Marriages of Rabbis
If you are expected to get married as a Rabbi (and I agree) re Biblical Info and I believe it is good for the family and all as you are a Rabbi to a whole community Do you accept single Rabbis that don't wish to every marry and can a Rabbi marry after he becomes a Rabbi?
zena ezechiels
November 2, 2011
in orthodox christianity
priests have to get married also...there are two paths for a clergyman. either practice celibacy and become a monk and live in a monastery or you get married and become a priest...makes sense
Anonymous
Kansas City
August 18, 2011
But Rabbis can rabbis have a choice to be single? or not?


zena ezechiels
Toronto , Canada
March 16, 2007
Can a Rabbi Get Married?
Yes! Rabbis can also have as many children as they want!

The word rabbi means "teacher" and they're also human beings.
Lisa
Providence, RI
January 5, 2007
that last sentence was absolutely beautiful.
Ilana
Tsfat
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