To the Jew of the first century, these words were saturated with great significance. For the Christian of the twentieth century, far removed from the historical context, it is often read over quickly as part of a cumbersome and boring genealogy.
The year was 1938. Hitler’s armies were marching through Europe. His plan to annihilate the world’s fifteen million Jews had begun. Most were blind to the conspicuous handwriting on the wall.
So you went and did it! You married a Gentile. Your family, friends, and maybe even the rabbi warned you about all the problems that would arise from the marriage.
In preparing for my trip to the United States, I had matters to attend to at the American Consulate here in Jerusalem. While at the consulate, I talked with some of the religious Jews.