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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If one of your children married a non-Jew would you cut off contact with him/her or be intentionally mean/dismissive to the non-Jewish spouse? [/quote]

You didn't answer my question. [/quote]

I think I'd be heartbroken but I dont think I'd ever cut off communication with my child and I would never be intentionally mean/dismissive to anyone. I probably would encourage conversion of the spouse and/or grandchildren. I have friends who intermarried and that also makes me sad.

I know parents who have said that theoretically they would cut off communication with a child who intermarried.  However, when it actually happened, they couldnt go through with it.  One family in particular has 3 sisters. 2 (A&B) are very devout orthodox and 1 (C) intermarried and is non-observant.  [b]A&B maintain a relationship with C but with restrictions, i.e. she cannot sleep with her husband in their house and some other things.  The restrictions are based on Jewish law, rather than in their own prejudices or feelings, so A&B feel like they have no choice in the matter.[/b] The relationship is obviously strained but C understands a little bit, bc she grew up with it.  To them, it is no different than someone asking them to eat pork. Rules are not to be broken.  In A,B&C's case, the parents went to C's wedding but the sisters did not. [/quote]

The restrictions they impose - based on Jewish law as applied to whom?  To them, or to their sister?

Why didn't they go to C's wedding?  Also because of Jewish law?  And if so, why did the parents go?[/quote]

Honestly, I am not too familiar with all the laws pertaining to intermarriage and the resulting relationships, but it was explained to me as rule on A&B not to sanction an impermissible relationship, which allowing them to sleep together in their house would be.  they did offer for them to stay at a hotel and eat at their house.  I think this was the same reason they didnt go to the wedding, though I am not sure.  The parents went bc they made a choice to be there for their daughter.

There are 613 Jewish laws and many are difficult to follow.  Even the most devout orthodox person makes choices daily and may not follow them all.  The parents chose to support their daughter regardless of their disagreement with her choice of spouse.  The sisters made a different choice.  Sister C was hurt, but also understood their dilemma.[/quote]

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