THE SLOW ROAD TO MONOGAMY

In an effort to encourage marriage and long-term family re­lationships, the rabbinic authorities, through a strict system of chaperonage that applied to women of all ages, married and single, did their best to discourage casual sex or even the vaguest suspicion of it.* There are numerous discussions about the details in the rabbinic literature. These rules were effective, but there were in­fringements in every age, as thousands of responsa attest.

Discussions in the responsa inevitably dealt with women, and with men only when the accusations were false. Monogamy was enforced in one direction only; and although many moral statements were addressed to men, they were not followed by legal enactments.

THE EMANCIPATION AND MODERN TIMES

In the period of the Emancipation, monogamy was taken for granted throughout the Western world. The most decisive statement was given in response to a question of Napoleon in 1807. The as­sembled dignitaries could confidently state monogamy was firmly established, and this statement confirmed that fact.®

None of the numerous synods and conferences held in Euv­rope or North America that led to the establishment of the Reform and Conservative movements felt it necessary to discuss monogamy. They dealt with related matters frequently as they dealt with the marriage ceremony, divorce, and various status questions. Many Reform thinkers have treated the status of women and their rights; these works have included discussions of marriage and the role of men and women in marriage, and each has assumed monogamy and made it the basis of its discussion.” Discussion of monogamy in the Reform and Conservative responsa literature has been very limited

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