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Path: utzoo!decvax!mcnc!unc!fsks
From: fsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: What is a mamzer?
Message-ID: <274@unc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Mar-85 23:00:03 EST
Article-I.D.: unc.274
Posted: Tue Mar 26 23:00:03 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 27-Mar-85 19:20:27 EST
References: <cbdkc1.917>
Reply-To: fsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann)
Distribution: na
Organization: CS Dept., U. of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lines: 33
Summary: 

In article <cbdkc1.917> ask@cbdkc1.UUCP (A.S. Kamlet) writes:
>>- WHAT IS A MAMZER?
>
>A mamzer is a child of a prohibited union. Something like a bastard.
>For example, a child resulting from any of the following halachically-
>prohibited unions would be a mamzer.
>
>1. A married woman and a man other than her husband.
etc.

What about if the mother is married, and you are not sure whether or
not her husband is the father?  Benefit of the doubt?

>A mamzer is not permitted many rights, including bar-mitzvah,
>normal marriage, etc.  A mamzer is pretty much a cast-out from
>the Jewish Community.  While the child suffers, the parents also
>probably share the suffering. So, a couple considering a non-permitted
>relationship should realize the consequences!!  The status of a mamzer
>cannot, in general, ever be reversed.

I never met a Jew who I knew was a mamzer, especially not one descended
from a long line of mamzerim.  Were mamzerim in the "Old Country"
effectively prevented from marrying at all, or did they just get lost
in the shuffle when immigrating to the U.S.?

I vaguely remember hearing of a commandment that if you know of a mamzer
who is trying to pass as legitimate in a new city, you are forbidden
to expose him.  Would someone please give me accurate details about this
Halacha, if it does indeed exist?  This would mean that, from a pratical
standpoint, a mamzer might be able to reverse his status by lying
about it.

	Frank Silbermann