DEUT1197 [This and next verse]. The Torah equates an act performed under physical duress with an act performed under threat of death. Interestingly enough, however, the Talmud does not consider a threat to one's money as duress and thus such a threat does not justify committing an unlawful act (Makkot 10b).

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DEUT1198 This is an exhortation to beth-din not to punish one who performed a forbidden act under coercion (Rambam Sanhedrin 20:2)

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DEUT1199 This [fine is paid] "because he afflicted her" -- whence it is inferred that there is also [payment for] shame, and suffering. From here it is derived that the ravisher gives four things: the fine, and [payment for] shame, injury, and suffering (Ketuvoth 40b)

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DEUT1200 This teaches us that he must "quaff his bitter cup" -- even if she be lame, blind, or covered with boils (Ketuvoth 39a)

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DEUT1201 The ravisher gives four things: the fine, and [payment for] shame, injury, and suffering, it being written: "Then the man who lies with her shall give fifty [shekels of] silver": For the enjoyment of lying with her he gives fifty shekels -- whence it is inferred that there is also [payment for] shame, injury, and suffering (Ketuvoth 40b)

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DEUT1202 If a man forces relations on an unmarried chaste woman, he must marry her. Key concept: Discourage immoral men from committing this despicable sin, and to save our nation's young women from being preyed upon. If the assailant knows that after his deed, his victim will be attached to him forever, and even if she is despicable to him, he will have to feed and clothe her and live with her as all men live with their wives, he will think twice. If he realizes that he also will have to pay a fine to her father, he hopefully will control himself and refrain from the sin. Also, this law provides some degree of consolation for the disgraced maiden, for she now has a husband, and no one will embarrass her further.

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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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DEUT1204 A man who is a saris shall not marry a Jewish woman. Our nation is holy. To prevent Jewish men from losing the ability to procreate, the Torah commands that if a man undergoes castration, he is forbidden to marry a Jewish woman.

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DEUT1205 A mamzer shall not marry a Jewish woman. Any child born of an impure, sinful union will be evil and wayward, for a father's nature is passed down to his children. Owing to our nation's holiness, our Father in Heaven, Who seeks our good, keeps such people at a distance from us, just as He distances us from all other negative and harmful elements.

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DEUT1206 See [[LEV834]] Leviticus 20:10 adultery ROSNER-BLEICH 128-9

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