What is the status of a person who marries a Goy in terms of how the 6 relatives should relate to the person? For example:
– Obligation of supporting if he falls on hard times ( as a Brother or Father). Relative to other poor people or at all
– obligation to honor a parent or older brother
Is there a difference if the person marrying out is a male or female?
– does the person receive a Jewish burial?
– does one keep Shiva for such a person when passing away?
What about if the person lives in a physically different home to a Non-Jewish woman, but regularly ( one a week / month) has relations with such a woman? Would it make a difference if they go away for weekends or holidays together from time to time?
Answer:
1) There is no full obligation of support (see Yoreh De’ah 251:1), and certainly no preference before others, but there is no prohibition of supporting him, and there is always hope that he will desist.
2) There is a dispute among authorities concerning honoring a parents who is ‘wicked’ or a sinner (see Aruch Hashulchan, 240:33). Certainly, one should try to avoid confrontation, apart from on religious issues, where one must stand up for the principles of the Torah.
3) Many authorities write that he should be given a Jewish burial (in a special part of the cemetary). See Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 10, no. 41, at length.
4) The halachos of Shiva are generally kept (though see Rambam, Avel 1:10).
There is certainly a distinction between somebody who marries a non-Jew, and somebody who only has occasional relations, though of course both are strictly prohibited. The former “leaves” (to some degree) the Jewish fold for a non-Jew, whereas the latter does not do so. However, much will depend on the circumstances.
For purposes of the questions above, there is no difference between a man or a woman.
