Marriage is held to be uniquely mandatory for men, and an unmarried man over the age of twenty is considered "cursed by God Himself." There is evidence however that in some communities males did not marry until "thirty or older." In medieval Jewish Ashkenazi communities, women continued to be married young.
Who are Jews allowed to marry?
As noted above, Jewish marriage is halakhically valid only if carried out between
a man and woman who are both Jewish, in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel. A later regulation requires that the marriage take place in the presence of a. minyan, a quorum of ten men.
In traditional Judaism,
marriage is viewed as a contractual bond commanded by God in which a man and a woman come together to create a relationship in which God is directly involved. Though procreation is not the sole purpose, a Jewish marriage is traditionally expected to fulfil the commandment to have children.
Here is a unique situation
The man who couldn't marry – Jeremiah 16 vs 1 – 9
1 Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘
You must not marry and have sons or daughters in this place.’ 2-4 For this is what the Lord says about the sons and daughters born in this land, and about the women who are their mothers and the men who are their fathers: ‘
They will die of deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried but will be like dung lying on the ground. They will perish by sword and famine, and their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals.’
5 For this is what the Lord says: ‘
Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal; do not go to mourn or show sympathy, because I have withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from this people,’ declares the Lord. 6-7 ‘Both high and low will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, and no one will cut themselves or shave their head for the dead. No one will offer food to comfort those who mourn for the dead - not even for a father or a mother - nor will anyone give them a drink to console them.
8-9 ‘And do not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down to eat and drink. For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in this place.' Jeremiah 16:1-9
New International Version
1 Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘You must not marry and have sons or daughters in this place.’ 2-4 For this is what the Lord says about the sons and daughters born in this land, and about the women who are their mothers and the m
www.bethelripon.com