Am I making the RIGHT decision?

Question

I was married in Civil Court with my husband in September 2006 who was just about to go over-seas to Iraq for extended service. Due to our marriage, they switched him with another soldier from a different state. Thank the lord! However, since we did not have a a wedding in the house of God, we decided to have a wedding in September 2007. I, myself, am a Jewish. My entire father's side of the family aren't religious, just traditional. My mother's side, father, followed the religion carefully. Although the rest of very much, non-religious. I, personally, don't follow any religion by choice, but still respect my Jewish heritage. My husband's father, is Catholic. His mother was born Jewish, but when she married his Catholic father, she converted to his religion. We were thinking of getting a priest and a rabbi? Has anyone ever heard of that before? I was doing some research online, looking for a rabbi, who performs interfaith marriages, however, they charm 900!.. Is this true?

Where can I find a local rabbi in my area (Brooklyn, NY) who performs interfaith marriages, without costing an arm and a leg? I'd also like to know, do I even need the priest there, if by Jewish religion, if your mother was Jewish blood, no matter what she converts too, she'll always be Jewish? So technically, my husband is full-Jewish? Please explain.

Just to make something clear, I stated before, I am far from religious, traditional, or believe.. so I don't need anyone telling me how I sinned. Please refrain your answers with that phrase. My husband and I needed to get marrid in Civil Court, or he would of been on his way to Iraq. I did it for him, not to be a sinner. Also, the reason why we're interested in having a priest and a rabbi, is only to repsect both of our families. My Jewish family & his Catholic family.

Answer 1

Weddings that include both a rabbi and a priest are not at all uncommon. You'll have to make some phone calls to find out which ones are amenable to such an arrangement and what they charge, but I think it's a very nice idea to make your families happy, so long as it's also what you and your husband want.

Rabbi Roy Rosenberg
[phone]
956 East 23rd
Brooklyn, New York

A Wedding Your Way
616 East 18th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Local: 917-621-3014

Rabbi Renée Feller
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
"I reside in New York and travel all over the country and even abroad for weddings."

Rabbi Laurence Aryeh Alpern
http://www.rabbiweddings.com/interfaith-wedding-ceremonies.html

http://www.gatheringguide.com/event_directory/ny_new_york/vendor_wedding_officiants_6646.html

Some books that might be helpful:
http://tinyurl.com/33563k
http://www.susannamacomb.com/books/index.html

sunpekes: The whole ancient prejudice against being "unevenly yoked" is outmoded and, quite frankly, gutless. Interfaith couples make their marriages work, just like everyone else. People do it every day.

Answer 2

You can't have an interfaith marriage and include a Catholic priest. Your husband needs a dispensation from the bishop to marry you outside the church. Being that Judaism is not a Christian religion...there may be even more to that or you may not be able to do it at all. Being born a jew does not mean you cannot leave the faith and become a Catholic. His mother will always of jewish descent but so was Jesus. She can be all Catholic in her beliefs.

If you are able to find a priest to participate in such a ceremony it will not be valid in the eyes of Rome. Just so you know...there are liberal priests out there that go against the Church...but they are outside the laws of the Church.

Since you are not religious...and if your husband is not...then why do you want to be married in a church at all? If your husband does attend church then he needs to talk to the priest (hopefully a good one) and get some instruction. Right now...married in civil court, means your marriage is not valid in the eyes of the church and you are living in mortal sin. This means your husband should not be receiving Eucharist.

Answer 3

My sister married a catholic, and they opted for using a justice of the peace. I am non-pracisting...and honestly thought the ceremony was pretty lame. I'm not religious....but I'd have prefered to have seen a CATHOLIC marriage then to that half arsed performance.

I have seen, and heard, of both. I am not sure if a Rabbi will perform a multi-denominational service. I would check the reconstructionists there.....

Good luck with everything...sorry i couldn't have been more help.

Answer 4

Contact your local Catholic Parish Priest. He may know some Rabbis who can/will help you.

Answer 5

I think your bigger problem might be finding a priest who will do it.

My big question is, do either of you follow a religion? If not, then what is the purpose? If you do, then just do the one that you follow.

Answer 6

am I = uncertain of existence
I am = certain of existence

When "I am" weak, then "am I" strong.

Conversion from Jew to Catholic: Law -> Law.
The Biblical conversion is from Law to Grace.

Law <- Law vs Grace -> "Grace unto you"
Sacrifice <- Sacrifice vs Mercy -> "Mercy unto you"
Division <- Division vs Peace -> Christ is our peace.

The narrow way notably has two options to it:
Broad Way <- Narrow Way -> More Excellent Way
Draw Back to perdition <- or -> go on unto perfection.

The narrow way may be new, of old and new;
But is it not life, rather only "leadeth unto life".

Reverting to the middle ages is intellectual suicide.
Babe -> Child -> Man -> Perfect Man Christ.
"Be no more children" get "tossed to and fro".
"Put off the old man" to "put on the new man".

Note: The conclusion of To The Hebrews
is the same as the conclusion of the Holy Bible:

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.

Answer 7

Try this for reasoning.
The bible says to Not become unevenly yoked (His too, old testament)
The yoking is spiritual. Even means same ......correct?
Same means peace, no arguments, similar thinking leads to peace.
ALSO REMEMBER THE HUSBAND IN GOD'S EYES IS THE HEAD OF THE MARRIAGE. AND **HE*** IS** UNDER GOD, RESPONSIBLE TO HIM. YOU, UNDER THESE TERMS MUST BE REASONABLY OBEDIENT TO HIM.