Prohibition of adultery

Both Hebrew words ish (man) and ishah (woman) derive from the root esh (fire). The sages of the Talmud pointed to the connection between these words: just as fire can be harnessed to generate energy and bring great benefit, yet when uncontrolled becomes a destructive force, so too the human sexual drive must be contained within the framework of a productive, God-sanctified marriage.

From the Preface by Arthur Goldberg, author of Light in the Closet, to the section on the prohibition of forbidden relationships in The Divine Code, Part VI:

The Torah places great emphasis on the value of the family and the continuation of society. Strong, intact families are the foundation upon which healthy communities, nations, and societies are built. Without such a foundation, even the most powerful structure is destined to collapse. As explained in the Written Torah and the Talmud, the primary achievement of the laws governing sexual conduct is the restraint of unbridled promiscuity, which leads to the destruction of society. The modern view of morality (which in many ways reflects ancient paganism) often results in permissiveness, where the social system, under the banner of universal tolerance, advances with the slogan, “Everything is permitted!” Unfortunately, such an understanding of tolerance is in reality nothing more than a fig leaf, serving as a cover for an ideology of sexual permissiveness.

History confirms the importance of these Torah principles. In his comprehensive study, the British anthropologist J. D. Unwin analyzed the historical decline of 86 primitive and civilized societies over a period of five thousand years. He found that the “regulation of relations between the sexes” is the foundation of a civilized society. Unwin discovered (contrary to his own views and inclination toward social liberalism) a clear correlation between increased sexual freedom and social decline.

By embracing the original directives of the Torah concerning true sexual morality, humanity can halt the process of self-destruction that has already been set in motion. God gave the rainbow as a sign of His covenant that He would not destroy the world again. The seven colors of the rainbow correspond to the Seven Laws of Noah—the foundations of a Divine and ordered society. However, God has endowed humanity with free will, and the question will always remain whether society will adhere to these laws—especially those that concern sexual prohibitions and boundaries. If non-Jews live their lives within the framework of biblical morality, the rainbow can also represent a multi-level system of spiritual refinement, enabling them to live righteously and merit a share in the World to Come. This provides the conditions for a covenant between humanity and God, and a foundation upon which we can build a world of perfection and holiness.

J. D. Unwin, Sex and Culture, Oxford Press, 1934.

Biblical Sources

Five of the six relationships forbidden by God for non-Jews are contained in the following verse (Bereishit 2:24): “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave to his wife, and they become one flesh.” This verse explicitly prohibits a person from relations: 1) with his own mother, 2) with a woman who has ever been a consort or wife of his father, 3) with a woman who is currently the consort or wife of another man, 4) with another man, 5) with an animal. A non-Jew is also forbidden to have relations with his maternal sister, as derived from Bereishit 20:13: “Moreover, she is indeed my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.” (Note that Abraham said this in order to calm Avimelech. In this case, it was only figuratively true, since Sarah was the daughter of Abraham’s brother. They shared a paternal grandfather, whom people often refer to as “father.”) In addition, relations between a father and daughter have universally been regarded as unacceptable, as is evident from the disgrace that befell Lot after he had relations with his two daughters following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by the Almighty (Bereishit 19:29–36, and see also Rashi on Bereishit 20:1). Relations between two women are likewise considered an abomination in the eyes of the Almighty. This was one of the depraved practices of the ancient Egyptians and Canaanites, mentioned in the book of Vayikra (18:3) and described by the Torah as immoral and abominable (see Vayikra 18:30). The Midrash (Sifra) states that among these nations, a man would marry a man, a woman would marry a woman, and a woman would be married to two men.

Certain Details and Principles

Adapted from the Table of Contents of the prohibition of forbidden relationships in The Divine Code, Part VI:

• Categories of forbidden sexual partners and sexual acts.
• The prohibition of homosexuality and relations with animals.
• The prohibition of relations with another man’s wife.
• Partners who are not permitted to marry.
• Laws related to marriage, promiscuity, and divorce.
• Laws related to the emission of seed and contraception.
• Preventive measures against forbidden relationships and the resulting principles of modesty.
• Prohibitions related to being alone with a forbidden partner.

Selected Laws Pertaining to the Prohibition of Forbidden Relationships for Non-Jews, from The Divine Code, Part VI:

• There are several additional sexual relationships that are forbidden to non-Jews but are not punishable by death. For example, a person is forbidden to have relations with his mother’s full sister (aunt) or with his mother’s maternal sister.
• If a non-Jewish society deems it necessary to introduce additional restrictions and to prohibit relationships among other categories of relatives, it has the authority to do so (for example, nearly all societies have prohibited marriage to a niece).
• Those who are considered minors according to Torah law may not enter into marriage, as they are not sufficiently mature to bind themselves in matrimony. In certain communities, there is an additional need to raise the minimum age for marriage. This should be an age at which the majority of members of society are regarded as mature and responsible for their actions. In our time, this is generally closer to twenty years of age.
• The words of God (Bereishit 2:24), “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave to his wife, and they become one flesh,” indicate that it is natural for a man to marry a woman and establish a family. To refrain from this runs contrary to the way God intended humanity.