THE SLOW ROAD TO MONOGAMY
when we speak of monogamy, we are no longer talking of a lifelong commitment, but of one that is more time bound. We have only begun to deal with these new conditions and with the changes in basic assumptions to which they are bound to lead.
These factors, in addition to the movement toward women’s equality and the separation of sexual activity and reproduction, have led to a system of monogamy brought about by personal wishes rather than by religious, economic, or social forces. In a period when new technologies and new freedom from a wide variety of constraints have made virtually anything and any“life style” possible, monogamy is doing reasonably well. Discussions on an ethical and philosophical level have begun. We are no longer limited to practical halakhah. Halakhists have also added a moral tone when they deal with these matters. The road in this direction has been long and difficult and much still lies ahead.
Notes
1. As we can see in the tale of Abraham and Pharaoh (Gen. 13:10-20) or David and Bathsheba(2 Sam. 11).
2. Exod. 22:28; Lev. 18:23, 20:15-16; Deut. 17:21. 3 Lev. 18:22, 29:13. Lev. 18:20; Deut. 27. Exod. 20:13; the law went further and prohibited coveting, Exod. 20:14. Yeb. 21a; J. Yeb. 2.4; Yad, Hil. Ishut 1.6; Shulhan Arukh, Even Haezer 25:24. Kid. 9a; Shulhan Arukh, Even Haezer 32.1-4.
Ket. 54a.