Was Jesus Obligated to be Married?
Question
I am a Gentile, a Christian (and not a very good one unfortunately), and so I’m not sure my question is appropriate. If it isn’t, I apologize profusely! In the Bible, it says that Jesus was approached by the church officials, and they addressed him as “Rabbi” when they questioned him. If Jesus truly was a Rabbi, and was a practicing Jew, as a Rabbi, wouldn’t he have to be married? I was under the impression that a Rabbi must be married, because among his expected duties, would be the counseling of female Jews? Is this true, or do I have it all wrong? Thank You in advance for taking the time to consider and respond to my stupid questions? May God be with you. Sincerely, Jason Hamlin…
Answers
According to the Jewish Law a Rabbi had to be married only if he wanted to serve as a judge on the supreme legal body called the Sanhedrin. Aside from that there is no ruling that a Rabbi needs to be married even at the time that the Sanhedrin was extant. The role of the Rabbi is to serve as the spiritual guide, leader and teacher of the community.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team