“Once,” relates Rabbi Yitzchak Mishan, the Rabbi of the large Mount Sinai Sephardi community in S. Paulo, Brazil, “a young member of my community asked me to convert his non-Jewish fiancee. I explained that even if the woman would undergo conversion and I would assist only if she sincerely desired to adopt Judaism, not merely so that she could marry a Jew he would still be forbidden from marrying her, because he is a kohen. The young man was adamant. They had been engaged for five years, and he had no intention of leaving her now.

“I could not convince the man to change his mind. As with other challenges which arise during the course of my activities, I asked for the Rebbe’s blessing for success in guiding the young man properly. In matters like this, I don’t expect more than a short blessing. I am satisfied with the knowledge that I have brought the issue to the Rebbe’s attention.

“To my surprise, shortly after sending this letter, I received a phone call from the office at “770”. The Rebbe had given me instructions to continue speaking to the young man. ‘You are to explain,’ the Rebbe directed, ‘that a kohen is empowered to bless others even great people. A person who is not a kohen although he may be a great sage is not equally empowered. But if, heaven forbid, a kohen desecrates his status, he forfeits this great potential.’

“I immediately contacted the young man and invited him for a discussion. I patiently explained the Rebbe’s message, but to no avail. The young man had made up his mind and would not budge from his position.

“I could not accept the idea that the Rebbe’s answer would be fruitless. Pondering the matter, I read and re-read the Rebbe’s words: ‘You are to explain…’ Perhaps, I thought, this explanation could be addressed to the non-Jewish woman. Maybe this message would have an impact on her…

“I lost no time and invited her to my office. She expressed her deep love for him, stating that she would be willing to undergo whatever is required of her. “I will do anything for this man,” she repeated time and again.

“I read aloud from a translated version of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (the Code of Jewish Law), the prohibition against the marriage of a kohen to a convert. I then told her the Rebbe’s words, explaining the tremendous loss the man would suffer.

“The woman was moved. ‘If he will lose so much because of me, I will not marry him. I love him too much.” She was very sincere. Her resolve remained steadfast, and in the next few days, she broke off their relationship.

“Incidentally,” Rabbi Mishan concluded, “the young man has since married a fine Jewish woman.”