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Why is it that Jews are discouraged to marry Gentiles or sometimes even prohibited It seems like it would be a difficult thing to deny oneself of love if it is truly there because two people don t share the same faith Wasn t Moses married to a non Hebrew and wasn t Aaron chastised for his disapproval by God Himself? Why is it expected that Gentiles convert when in a union like this?
I am sorry that this issue is causing you so much personal heartache. However, Deuteronomy (one of the 5 books of Moses) is the source for the prohibition against intermarriage. Marrying another Jew ensures the future of the Jewish people through your children, and the ability of the purpose of the Jewish people to be fulfilled through your children.
We live in a world, where Jews are not connected to the mission of the Jewish people, yet still feel a deep sense of connection to their Jewish identity. This conflicts comes to the fore when they fall in love with people outside their faith. You may be in a position to help him face this conflict, and resolve it. It may lead to personal self-sacrifice, but it may make him ultimately at peace with himself.
Regarding Moses, the laws were only given to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai, at which time there was a mass conversion to Judaism by all the children of Israel. In essence, there were no Jews before Sinai, and so none of the laws were binding till then.
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