Relationships and Family

• Purpose of a Jewish family

  Preserving the faith:

  • It is seen as the ideal if both parents are Jewish to preserve the faith.
  • Orthodox Jews believe the line of religious descent passes through the mother

  Growing the faith:

  • 'Be fruitful and multiply' is shown by Jews that a main role of the family is to procreate.

  Raising faith in the family:

  • Parents have a responsibility to share the faith with children and encourage them to attend synagogue and take part in rituals.
  • In the torah, it says 'these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children'
• Marriage in Judaism

  • In the Talmud, it teaches marriage is a commitment of love and a companionship, and a bond to create a Jewish home for the glory of the God.
  • For many Jews, the principle purpose of marriage is to have children - 'be fruitful and multiply'.
• Divorce in Judaism

  • Jews teach marriage is a scared commitment, however it does accept divorce.
  • Many Jews will view divorce as a last resort that even causes God to feel the pain of the couple.
  • A certificate of a divorce is called a get and it must be witnessed by two Jews.
  • In Orthodox Judaism, a get is given from the man to the woman but it does have to be mutually agreed.
• Same sex marriage in Judaism

  • Orthodox Jews see the quote 'man shall not lie with another man the same way he does a woman' as a reason against same sex relationships.
  • Many reform Jews accept same sex marriage as in Genesis, it says 'God created man in his own image'.
• Sex before marriage in Judaism

  • Many Jews believe sexual relationships should only happen within a marriage in case of children.
  • Some Jews believe cohabitation and sexual relations before marriage can happen in a loving and faithful relationship.
• Adultery

  • One of the ten commandments is 'thou shall not commit adultery' it is seen as one of the fundamental principles of Judaism.
  • Marriage can be seen as a part of a relationship with God therefore adultery is betraying God.
• Contraception

  • Judaism teaches children are a gift from God and should be brought into a marriage union - 'Children are a heritage from the lord, offspring a reward from him'
  • Jewish law says men should not destroy or waste their sperm, so methods of contraception that damage sperm or stop it from reaching its intended destination is forbidden.
  • They accept some forms of contraception depending on the circumstances, e.g the health of the mother.
• Roles of men and women in Judaism

  • Many Jews interpret the creation, which shows God creating male and female at the same time as evidence of equal status between man and woman.
  • However, in the Genesis it says 'your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you'. This is taken as proof men and women have different roles.