Are Orthodox Jews allowed to date outside their faith?

Question

My good friend is an Orthodox Jew, and I really like him, and I think the attraction is at least somewhat mutual. He's very religious, as far as I can tell, and follows all the rules, so would we even be allowed to date? If so, could we ever do more than kiss?

Answer 1

If he is observant, he won't even date you. The barrier is too large- you want to go to a restaurant, it has to be kosher. Observant Orthodox Jews don't go dancing, and being alone in any way is completely forbidden. Kissing is right out- in fact we try not to have to touch at all (I try to contrive having my hands full when walking into meetings where I know there will be introductions to members of the opposite sex so I don't have to shake hands.)

Answer 2

I'm sorry to say, you're out of luck:

1) Jews are not allowed to marry out of the faith.

2) Orthodox Jews are discouraged from dating unless they're trying to get married.

3) Orthodox Jews don't touch people of the opposite sex unless it's a spouse or close relative. And when I say 'touching', I mean shaking hands or slapping them five. Kissing is out of the question.

It looks like you're going to have to settle for being good friends.

Answer 3

No. If he is a Hasdic Orthodox Jew he's not even allowed to touch you unless you were married on his daughter. Hasidic Jews generally do not associate with anyone else unless its business.Even if your friend is not as ultra orthodox as the Hasidim Jews are his strong religious laws will not allow him to pursue a relationship with a non-Jew.

Answer 4

We can do whatever we want, but we generally do not date outside our faith.
If by any chance you and your friend should marry, your children will not be Jewish (unless you convert in accordance with Jewish law, i.e an orthodox conversion).
\I am sure that having non-Jewish children is not part of your friend's plan....Also, the great majority of orthodox Jews do not engage in pre-marital sex; it is against our beliefs.
Just in case you may want to convert:
http://www.halakhicconversion.org/

Answer 5

If you are willing to convert, then thats fine.

Don't expect your friend to marry a non-jew, even if he is in love he won't. Unless you are willing to radically change your religion, eating habits, Shabbat observance, and language you pray in I wouldn't date him. Its just going to end in heartbreak. In general, Orthodox Jews put love of our creator on a higher plane than romatic love.

Sorry. I know this hurts.

Answer 6

Ultimately he'll be most happy with a relationship in his faith, problem is he may not realize it for quite some time. You may be strung along longer than you'd like only to be dumped. If feelings to grow more serious, would you be willing to convert?

Please don't do anything more than kiss least a child is brought into the equation.

Answer 7

If he's very religious as you say then no, he will be very unlikely to even date you.

[edit] I like Ms Rahi's answer better than my own. Yes, if you decide to convert--and it has to be because you yourself want to be Jewish, not merely because he is--then it might be a "happy ever after" story. But if not, then he almost certainly won't marry you.

Answer 8

They can, but it's generally not done. But, as others have said, he won't marry you. Unless of course you convert...but for yourself and not for love. But, the Jewish people here know more than I do.

Answer 9

He may 'date' you, and may do more than kiss you, but he's not going to marry you. (Unless you're planning on converting.)

My honest advice would be (and has been to others); Don't set yourself up for heartbreak- stay friends!

Answer 10

Love is above religion.