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DEUTERONOMY | 22:29 wife — DEUT1203 The preceding discussion shows that the ...

DEUT1203 The preceding discussion shows that the sexual act, in the Jewish view, is much more than physical pleasure and must remain special and unique. We know from the reaction of people out to the subject of sex (a joke, a book, or a movie) that it is part of man's nature to look at this topic in a special way. It is not just another bodily function or even just another appetite like food, but it is different. Since the sexual act is so exceptional and integral to the relationship between a man and a woman (as discussed earlier), it is antithetical to Judaism to have a one-time sexual encounter, a "one-night stand," because there must be a relationship between two people both before and after the sexual act. There must also be a responsibility for the sexual partner after the sexual act, for the relationship must continue. For example, if a woman is raped, in addition to all the punishment involved, the man is obligated to marry her [this verse] (of course, only if she agrees). The reason for this is that after the sexual act, even in a forced sexual act such as rape, a person must take responsibility for the partner and the relationship must continue. Thus, Judaism does not permit sexual relations between partners prior to marriage. Even if two adults say that they are in love with each other and are living together to see if they should get married, they still may not engage in sex if they wish to observe Jewish law. These individuals may say that they will continue the relationship after sex and that they will take responsibility for each others' feelings. However, the sexual act itself is such a powerful force in defining a relationship between a man and woman that it has been known to happen that despite all the promises, if the act of sexual intercourse is not a satisfying one, the relationship between the two individuals may abruptly end. A sexual failure can destroy a relationship despite all the declarations of love beforehand and all the promises to stick together. Since this type of abrupt ending following sex in a Jewish relationship is not permitted, that is, no sex without responsibility afterward, Jewish law has forbidden sexual intercourse prior to marriage. The only way to ensure that there will be some degree of responsibility after sex is through the act of marriage.

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Source KeyAMEMEI
Verse22:29
Keyword(s)wife
Source Page(s)263
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