Rambam Mesivta, Lawrence, NY
Aside from the halachic violations involved in intermarriage, there are
many serious philosophical problems as well. The Rambam states that
relationships between Jews and non-Jews cause identification and association to
idolatry. The Torah itself (Exodus 34:15) links the attraction to idolatry to
intermarriage: “…lest you eat from their pagan sacrifices and take from their
daughters (wives for) your sons.” There is, however, another aspect that should
be addressed. Jews throughout the ages have been oppressed, tortured and
murdered by non-Jews in the name of the various religions. The Christian crusades
are one such example. The Nazis, with the tacit approval of the church
perpetrated mass murder of millions of Jews simply because they were Jews. It
is incomprehensible that any individual with a vestige of Jewish identity
should condone or engage in intermarriage. Countless Jews throughout the ages
sacrificed their lives Al Kiddush Hashem rather than succumb to idolatrous
practices. Jews who intermarry are awarding the Nazis their ultimate goal – the
destruction of the Jewish People.