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Question
I understand that it's forbidden for a man to marry a woman whose first name is the same as his mother's. Or is that only a custom? And are there other relatives whose names the bride's can't match? Are there relatives of the bride whose names the groom's can't match? And I almost forgot: what's the official reason?
Answer
In
the "Will & Testament" of Rabbi Yehuda HaChasid (23), he wrote that
the parents-in-law, bride and Mother-in-law, and bridegroom and father-in-law
should not have the same names. The reason is not mentioned. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef,
in discussing this issue, alludes to Kabalistic reasons ("Yabia Omer"
II, E.H. 7). However, another Halachacist called the Noda B'Yehuda (II,
E.H.
79) wrote that it was only written for Rabbi Yehuda's progeny. In practice, many
are wary of it. However, if there is a slight difference in name, then many today
would marry.
Some give the reason, so that one does not call his spouse
in the presence of his/her parent, which is considered disrespectful ("Code
of Jewish Law" Y.D. 240:2)
Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Aish.com
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