Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site akgua.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!rjb From: rjb@akgua.UUCP (R.J. Brown [Bob]) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Judaism and Polygamy Message-ID: <1027@akgua.UUCP> Date: Wed, 10-Oct-84 12:53:06 EDT Article-I.D.: akgua.1027 Posted: Wed Oct 10 12:53:06 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 11-Oct-84 07:01:20 EDT Organization: AT&T Technologies/Bell Labs, Atlanta Lines: 29 Subject: Polygamy and Judaism I have noticed in passing remarks by Mr Martillo that Sefardim still practice polygamy in some parts of the world and I take it that the rest of the Jewish groups practice monogamy. Now if we start with Genesis 2:24( *NOTE* Observant Jews please don't be offended that I don't know how to reference the text but by the Christian divisions ..2:24 etc.) we note that "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife and they become one." (TEV). This verse directly follows the creation of Eve. I would say this is a pretty strong endorsement (in context) of monogamy. Yet later in the Scriptures we find many of the leaders like David and Solomon who are lavish polygamists (Solomon had hundreds of wives and concubines.) God seems not to take official notice of this (like He did when David seduced/"raped" Bathsheba). What say the learned of Judaism on this topic ? Bob Brown {...ihnp4!akgua!rjb}