Q&A: A Divorced Woman with a Blind Kohen
A Divorced Woman with a Blind Kohen
Question
Rabbi, hello and blessings,
I am a divorced woman with children. I met a man who is completely blind, also with children (without sons), and he is a kohen, even though his family name is completely different.
I have known him for a long time, and my heart is drawn to him.
And I am not put off by his disability.
He told me that in his family there is some doubt about whether they are kohanim, and my question is whether because of his blindness (which considers him like a dead person) he is exempt from obligations that apply to a kohen, such as marrying a divorced woman?
Neither of us can have any more children.
Thank you very much
Answer
A kohen with a physical defect, even if he is disqualified from serving in the Temple, is still forbidden to marry a divorced woman. As far as I understand, blindness is no different from an ordinary defect in this respect. I am sorry, but I do not find any basis for leniency.
As for the doubt in his family, I cannot tell you. The specific doubt involved would have to be examined.