Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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JEWISH WEDDINGS
The Hebrew term for marriage is Kiddushin, 'sanctification'. Quite apart from any other function that marriage may fulfil, in Jewish teaching marriage is seen as a holy union.
Stability
Until recent times Jewish family life was regarded as being one of the most stable in western society. This was due in large part to the clearly defined set of moral values and obligations which are the foundation of Jewish marriage. The emphasis was always on responsibilities rather than on rights. In recent years, consistent with declining standards of religious observance, the stability of Jewish marriages has also declined, though not to the level of the general population.
Celibacy
Celibacy is not a Jewish ideal; on the contrary, it is regarded as an inferior state. In words of the Zohar* 'a bachelor is only half a man.' In ancient Israel only married men could normally be appointed to important religious offices (such as the High Priesthood).
Selected quotes:
Bible
*
Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28)
*
A man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife (Genesis 2:24)
* He who finds a wife finds good (Proverbs 18:22)
Talmud
* He who dwells without a wife is bereft of joy
*
A husband should regard his wife as a princess. A wife should regard her husband as king
*
A man must love his wife as himself and honour her more than himself.
Mediaeval thinkers
* The mating of animals is a temporary and purely physical
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