Polygamy

Question

Dear Rabbi, in Biblical times did the Jewish people practice polygamy? Were men permitted to marry more than one wife?

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Yes, even though it was not necessarily the norm, polygamy was practiced until about one thousand years ago. At that point the Jews living in Europe stopped the practice while Jews in the Middle Eastern countries continued. In the state of Israel, polygamy is forbidden for all Jews, including those whose origin is the Middle Eastern countries.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team