Q&A: Betrothal of Conjoined Twins
Betrothal of Conjoined Twins
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Recently I came across an article about conjoined twins who are joined in the lower half of their bodies, such that their reproductive organs are shared, but not their brains and hearts. The article said that one of them is in a relationship with a man (and the other is not). In your opinion, in such a case would it be permitted/possible for the man to betroth one of them? Or since intercourse with one of them would also count as intercourse with the sister, who is forbidden as an incestuous relation, would this be a case of betrothal that is not given over to intercourse?
With blessings,
Answer
Wow. An amazing question.
It seems to me that as a matter of Jewish law the betrothal would take effect, but you are asking according to Rava. Beyond that, even if the betrothal does take effect, in this case the intercourse itself is of course forbidden. So she is his wife, and he is forbidden to have relations with her.
It seems to me that this is definitely correct. He is forbidden to have relations with her, and regarding the validity of the betrothal, that depends on Abaye and Rava.
Discussion on Answer
Indeed, that is the assumption, and to me it is completely straightforward.
It is obvious that these are two women, not one. See the analysis by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in my article on separating conjoined twins.
There is an implicit assumption here that for purposes of betrothal the twins are considered two human beings (two daughters/sisters), and therefore it is forbidden. But perhaps they are considered one person, at least with respect to betrothal, which is a law that applies to the body? (Suppose that both of them would need to consent to become betrothed, but the body being betrothed is still one.) Though perhaps in practice one should indeed forbid it, because it is like someone who is half-slave and half-free, meaning two different legal statuses applying to one body.