How many wives are Jews allowed to have?

Answer 1

Polygamy was abolished for European Jews approximately 1000 years ago by a decree issued by Rabbi Gershom of Germany.

Since its founding in 1948, Israel law has made polygamy illegal. The one exception was for immigrants from countries that allowed polygamy and came to Israel already having multiple wives (primarily Yemeni Jews).

In truth, although the Tanach (Jewish Bible) allows polygamy, the rules surrounding this form of marriage were so stringent, it was never a common practice. Each wife had to have her own house of equal value, equal belongings in the house, and equal quality of life - something most men couldn't afford.

Additionally, another aspect of Jewish law specifies that even if something is allowed, the laws of the land Jews live in are paramount. So long as these laws don't violate prohibitions (example: murder, dietary law) Jews are supposed to follow the laws of those lands.

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Answer 2

This is one of the differences between Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of European ancestry) and Mizrahi Jews (Jews of Arab World ancestry).

For Ashkenazim, polygyny (one many with more than one wife) was done in a few cases prior to around 1000 CE when Rabbi Gershom ben Judah, a noted German rabbinical scholar from Metz and Mainz, forbid it in a synod he conducted there. This ban has held in force in the Ashkenazi communities to this day.

For the Mizrahim, polygyny was a common practice well into the 19th century, usually with one man having two wives (as opposed to several wives). However, with the increased exposure of Mizrahim to European Jewry during the 19th century and the laws banning polygamous marriage in Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom (where most Mizrahi Jews now live), polygyny has been effectively removed from the Jewish community.

Answer 3

In biblical times yes, but the rabbis later ruled no that it wasn't good anymore.

Answer 4

Judaism allows for divorce and permits remarriage. However, Jews are only allowed one spouse at a time.

Answer 5

Jews are allowed to have one wife.