By the Grace of G-d 10th of Sivan, 5743 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing: 

I just received your letter. May G-d grant that you should have good news to report on the matter about which you wrote. 

Needless to say, the contemplated marriage would be in direct violation of the halachah, which is an explicit prohibition in the Torah, Toras Chayim, our G-d-given Torah that is the Jew's guide in life and source of life, as it is said of the Torah and mitzvos) – "these are our life and the length of our days." 

Furthermore, it would involve a second person to be a partner in going against the Will of G-d, the Creator and Master of the World. Be it remembered also that it is not a question of a one time contravention, but it would mean entering into a situation of a continuous, day after day, contravention of a Divine imperative, and living in sin every moment of everyday life. 

Thus, even when a person (whatever the misconception) is prepared to go against the Will of G-d and suffer the consequences, there is in this case also the responsibility of involving another person, deceiving her that she would be doing a good thing, and condemning her to a lifelong situation which is most reprehensible from the viewpoint of the Torah and unacceptable also from the viewpoint of plain morality and ethics. Indeed, if either party has [a] real feeling for the other that is not beclouded by personal desire, neither party would wish to involve the other in such a tragedy. 

There may be individuals who, the above notwithstanding, will claim that it is a personal matter, his own life and his own choice; that the other party is also acting freely, etc. But this line of argument is the same as that of a would-be suicide who claims that what he is about to do is his own affair, and it is his own life he wants to end, and it is nobody's business to interfere, etc., etc. Yet common human decency does not accept such an argument, and makes it obligatory on anyone nearby, particularly the police, to do everything possible to prevent the person from harming himself. Certainly, nothing would be more abhorrent than aiding and abetting a would-be suicide. (Not to mention that a suicide, G-d forbid, could be instantaneous and relatively painless, which would not be the case with a "suicidal” marriage which is entered into as a lifelong partnership). 

More could be said on the subject, but the above will surely suffice. 

You may, of course, show this letter to anyone who can be of help in preventing this tragedy, G-d forbid. 

With blessing,