Marrying More than One Wife
Introduction
The Cherem D’Rabbeinu Gershom is a series of Rabbinic decrees enacted by Rabbeinu Gershom Me'or HaGolah (circa 1000-1100 CE) for Ashkenazic communities. Its various components are aimed at maintaining civility between a husband and wife, and between a person and his or her fellow. While the original decrees were designed to be in effect for a limited amount of time and only in the Jewish communities of Europe, there has been much discussion throughout the centuries as to how long it should be in effect, where it should be in effect, and under what circumstances should it be enforced, all of which will be discussed below. Though the Cherem D’Rabbeinu Gershom has a number of components, this entry will focus on the most impactful ones, namely that on marriage and divorce.
Components of the Cherem D'Rabbeinu Gershom
The following are the three most important components of the Cherem D’Rabbeinu Gershom:
- If a man is already married, he is prohibited from marrying any additional women.[1]
Prior to the enactment of this degree, one was permitted to marry multiple wives, provided he was able to provide financially and emotionally for each of them.[2]
- A man is prohibited from divorcing his wife against her will
- One is prohibited from reading other people’s mail without permission
Acceptance
Contemporary Relevance
Sources
- ↑ Ritva on Yevamos 44a in the name of Tosfos. He notes that the Cherem D'Rabbeinu Gershom does not apply to a Yevama and that the Rambam, who lived in an area where this decree was not put into effect, did not place any such restrictions at all.
- ↑ Rambam Hilchos Ishus 14:3, Tur Even HaEzer 1:9 ruling like Rava on the Machlokes found on Yevamos 65a. Nonetheless at the end of the Siman, the Tur forbids anyone from marrying more than one woman in places where the Cherem D'Rabbeinu Gershom was put into effect.
