Mamzer

Question

If the child was conceived outside the framework of marriage and then the couple quickly married and the actual birth of the child took place several months into the marriage, is he considered a mamzer (bastard, illegitamate child)?

Answer

Thank you for your question. A Mamzer is the product of a relationship between two people who may not marry, e.g. an adulterous or incestuous relationship. If they were permitted to marry at the time they had relations, there is no illegitimacy to such a child.

Take care,
Rabbi Aaron Tendler

Follow-up questions (2)

Question

Dear Rabbi,
My soon to be husband and I already have a child. Is this to say there is nothing to be done for him? Shouldn’t G-d love him anyway?

Answer

Well you are in luck. G-d does love your child and he is a full fledged member of the Jewish people.

A Mamzer is the child produced of an incestuous relationship (mother/son, father/daughter) or an adulterous affair resulting in the child.

Children born out of wedlock are just that and do not bear any special status. It does not need be discussed or mentioned and is the personal business of the parents.

Mazal Tov on your upcoming marriage and may you merit to have a many little ones running around in your home.

Question

What is the status of a child from an unmarried woman and a married man? If the child is a Mamzer does this mean G-d will punish the child?

Answer

Thank you for your question. Although an unmarried woman may not have relations with a married man, the resulting child does not have the status of a Mamzer. The child is only a Mamzer if a married woman would have relations with a male other than her husband, or if a woman would have relations with a man she may not marry, e.g. a close relative.

I don’t believe that it states anywhere that G-d will punish a Mamzer. He has a specific Halachic status of being limited in terms of who he may marry.