יום א Date: 2 Cheshvan, 5774 (10/26/14) – Yevamos#22 {Eliezer}

TECHNICAL PERMISSIBILITY

[22a middle] Rava: When a man converts to Judaism (he is like a newborn in the Jewish nation, and thus), he has no Halachik (Jewish law) relatives. However, the Rabbis made prohibitions for him to not to marry any of his biological (now permitted, but normally Biblically forbidden) relatives. We do not want people to say, “Before he was Jewish he could not marry his mother, but now that he is Jewish they are allowed to get married!” It would appear that Judaism is a much more lax (and unethical) religion.

D-E-ep Thoughts: The Jewish nation is supposed to be a light unto the rest of the world. Not only do we have laws that dictate proper actions (and Rabbinic help along the way), but we must use our “common sense” in everyday life as well. We must always do actions that bring G-d’s Holiness into our world and show others the proper way to live.