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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
It appears that the Torah deals more strictly with an unfaithful wife than with an unfaithful husband. But the Torah teaches that in order to experience the Divine Presence, there should be a proper relationship between one man and one woman. The Torah calls couples, a man who "leaves his parents and clings to his wife and become one flesh" (Bereishit 2:23-24).
Admittedly, the Torah allows a man to marry more than one woman, which was a sociological need in yesteryear. However, the Torah consistently stressed the problematic nature of having multiple wives. Lemech lamented his lot to his two wives, and he turned into the second recorded murderer (ibid. 4:19-23). After Cain killed his brother, Lemech killed his son. Chazal lamented about such men and their two wives, one for childbearing, who was mistreated, while the other one for his enjoyment was rendered sterile with ancient drugs and occupied herself with beautification. Indeed, in polygamy, at least one wife would be treated improperly.
When the Torah discusses the laws of two wives (Devarim 21:15), one of them is described as "hated." The next section discusses the wayward son (ibid. 18), which is no coincidence. The navi (Shmuel I, 1:6) calls a co-wife a tzara (a cause of pain). In all of Tanach, there is no polygamous relationship which is presented as an ideal union.
So why is the unfaithful wife worse than the unfaithful husband? Until recent times, relations made it very likely that children would be born, and the prospect of a husband having to raise his wife’s illegitimate child was unfair to the husband financially and emotionally. If a man took two wives, he would rightfully be responsible for the welfare of the children of both.
We will end off with another perspective. The waters that checked the sota to see if her denial of impropriety was correct only worked when the suspicious husband was free of any sexual impropriety himself (Yevamot 58a). The obligation of fidelity cuts two ways. No house can have the dwelling of the Divine Presence unless both he and she are worthy of it.
Reviewing the salient lessons: 1. Men and women must not become intoxicated, which opens the door to sin. 2. Ideally, a household has one husband and one wife. 3. The goal of a couple is to create a home for the Divine Presence, impacting both parents and children. 4. The obligation to be loyal is mutual in marriage, and it is the basis for peace and fraternity, within the family and in harmonious successful life.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
