Sexuality in Jewish Law and Tradition 23

cure is that she should submit to him.”(The rabbis apparently accepted the truth of the physicians’ diagnosis, but would not allow the application of their therapeutic recommendation.) The Sages proclaimed:“Let him die rather than that she should yield.” The doctors presented a milder solution, which would not involve body contact:“Then let her stand naked before him.” The Sages retorted no less stringently:“Let him die rather than she should stand nude in his presence.” The final suggestion of the learned doctors(which is considered the solution for such sexual longing throughout the ages and in most of the world).“Let him marry her.” The sages indicated that this is not a solution, because marriage would not assuage his passion, as R. Isaac said:“Since the destruction of the Temple, sexual pleasure has been taken from marriage and given to sinners, as it is written:‘Stolen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant’(Prov. 9,7).

We see that extramarital relations were not unknown in Talmudic times, as is the situation in our own day. Adultery was and still is a severe problem. Why would one leave the conjugal bed to seek sexual satisfaction elsewhere? The causes were many and varied: The destruction of the Temple, the brutal post-war occupation characterized by socio-economic crises and community instability; all these factors led to the weakening of family life and family values.

We recall a period of milder social unrest with the student rebellion of the 1960s in the United States and Europe , which led to a sexual revolution. For many in our day, the family is no longer the bastion of emotional security, solid and safe haven of peace. Rather, too often resultant quarrels and anxiety lead many to wish to escape from such a chaotic life. All these factors together have led many to look at the proverbial grass on the other side of the fence. The high incidence of divorce and one parent families bear witness to this sad truth. At the same time, the entertainment world and the mass media raise the promise that“true love” is to be found in someone else’s home. It is well known that in many cases, if these persons yield to