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Rabbi Marc Gellman began his studies in 1969 at the University of Wisconsin, and went on to attend the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of ...
Read more about By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services.
WIDOWER IS RELUCTANT TO LOVE AGAIN
By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services
Q: What is the Catholic Church's position concerning a marriage after
one spouse dies? I'm in a relationship with a man who's wife passed
away a year before my husband died. He's Catholic and feels he's still
married to his wife and that he will be with her once again as her
husband after he dies.
I realize no one who's died has been able to come back and tell us if this is true. If, however, church belief supports this position, if a man marries again after his spouse dies, who would he be with in eternity -- wife No. 1 or wife No. 2?
Our wedding vows, which I realize were created by man, include the words "until death do us part." Does that refer simply to the obvious, that one spouse is no longer physically present, or is there more to this than I can figure out by myself? - A., via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: Yours is a question of the heart, not a question of the Church. Catholic teaching is obvious and clear: A person can remarry if his or her spouse dies. The problem you're describing is that of a man who's not ready to give his heart to another woman. This man's wife is no longer his spouse, but his feeling that he's still married to her is a way to keep himself from beginning the search for a new soul mate.
Only God can know who he will be with in eternity, but my feeling is strong on this. I believe that we will not be separated forever from those we love. Have patience and wait for his heart to heal and warm to the love that can only be found in this life and this world.
Q: I understand why tattoos are forbidden, but I've never understood why it's all right for women to pierce their ears. Isn't that also mutilating the body? - H., via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: Yes, ear piercing is also forbidden by Jewish law, based upon the explicit biblical prohibition found in Leviticus 19:28. Because of this, orthodox Jewish women buy only clip earrings.
The real issue here is not whether something is prohibited in the Bible. Normal things like haircuts for men and garments made with different fabrics are also prohibited, yet all but those who are very strict in their observance have no problem with such things. The issue raised by tattoos and body piercing is how you view your body.
For some Jews, Christians and Muslims, tattoos and piercings, despite religious law, constitute beautiful adornments of the body. For others, they're a defilement of the perfect and pure body given them by God, evolution or both. The issue generally cannot be disposed of by simply citing a biblical text.
These are personal issues, and people must decide for themselves what they believe about their bodies -- what they will put into them, how and if they will put them at risk to have fun, and what marks they will carve into them that will last beyond the morning when they sober up.
Q: A reader who dubbed himself "An Unbeliever" sent me the top 10 pictures taken by the Hubble telescope. They are stunning. His note read: "Please look at these pictures and tell me if you can still firmly attest to your beliefs." (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-418049/Hubble-telescopes-greatest-space-photographs.html)
A: Yes!!!!!!!!! Psalm 19 (KJV) states quite clearly:
To the Chief Musician: A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork;
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge;
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether;
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is Thy servant warned; in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in they sight, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.
(Send QUESTIONS ONLY to The God Squad, c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207, or email them to godsquadquestion@aol.com.
(c) 2008 THE GOD SQUAD DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 08/07/2008
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