In biblical times, a man was not prohibited from having sexual relations with a woman, as long as it led to marriage The bible never explicitly states a woman and man may not have sexual intercourse prior to marriage Therefore, no sanction was imposed for premarital sex, but it was considered a violation of custom. The requirement of marriage before sex ensures that sense of commitment and responsibility Jewish law also forbids sexual contact short of intercourse outside of the context of marriage, recognizing that such contact will inevitably lead to intercourse The primary purpose of sex is to reinforce the loving marital bond between husband and wife.
Couples who move in together prior to marriage have a far greater chance of divorce than couples who do not How much higher is that risk According to jewish tradition premarital sex is discouraged and strictly prohibited in the orthodox jewish communities Many orthodox jewish communities strive to keep men and women apart before marriage for a long period, reducing the probability of romantic encounters between unmarried adults Even today’s reform and conservative rabbis have maintained judaism’s traditional preference. Single jewish women have that status until they immerse in a mikveh prior to marriage
Jewish texts and source sheets about premarital sex from torah, talmud and other sources in sefaria's library.
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