Models of Sexuality (and Marriage) in the Jewish Tradition

Abstract

The contrast between the Jewish ethical tradition and many other faith (and legal) traditions is worth focusing on. The Jewish tradition has a sexual ethic that is quite vibrant. It prohibits incest, adultery, rape – even marital rape, and recognizes that marriage has both a reproductive and a companionship justification. But yet, the Jewish tradition never fully embraced a deep and theological prohibition on polygamy and never fully endorsed any deep prohibition against non-marital sexuality. Of course, neither of these are still overtly present in the traditional Jewish community, but this chapter explores the parameters of models of sexuality in the Jewish tradition within the historical, religious, and theological models found in classical Talmudic Judaism.