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From: rjb@akgua.UUCP (R.J. Brown [Bob])
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Judaism and Polygamy: Part II
Message-ID: <1053@akgua.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Oct-84 12:33:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: akgua.1053
Posted: Wed Oct 24 12:33:05 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Oct-84 03:48:41 EDT
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Re: Polygamy and Judaism : Part II

I put forth the question about the role of polygamy in
Judaism since one might infer monogamy from Genesis depending
on the translation. Later in the Scriptures we have examples
of polygamy (particularly in King Solomon).  Mr Martillo explained
that it was indeed a question of understanding the Hebrew correctly
to mean a very simple sexual union (i.e. becoming one with your
wife or wives).  I really have not heard an Ashkenazic (sp ?) reply
since I understand that their tradition is more monogamous.

*** Would someone please suggest an "acceptable" English translation
of the Hebrew Scriptures so that when I make references I can use
the proper chapter and verse citations familiar to Jewish readers.***

In the book of Malachi starting in the Second Chapter verse 13 
(Christian designation of chap and vs.) we read in Today's English
Version:

"This is another thing you do.  You drown the Lord's altar with tears
, weeping and wailing because he no longer accepts the offerings you
bring Him. (14) You ask why He no longer accepts them.  It is because He
knows you have broken the promise to the wife you married when you were
young.  She was your partner, and you have broken your promise to her,
although you promised before God that you would be faithful to her. (15)
Didn't God make you one body and spirit with her ?  What was the purpose
of this ?  It was that you should have children who are truly God's 
people.  So make sure that none of you breaks his promise to his wife.
(16) `I hate divorce,' says the Lord God of Israel.  `I hate it when one
of you does such a cruel  thing to his wife.  Make sure that you do not 
break your promise to be faithful to your wife.'"

The margin references say that the first question in verse 15 is unclear
in the Hebrew.

Now, the questions:

1) Does the gist of this quotation read the same to Hebrew Scripture
readers ?

2) If approximately yes, does this text lend any weight to monogamy as
the norm ?  Does the fact that Malachi was written in the 5th century
BCE and echoes what I thought were monogamous leanings in Genesis have
any bearing ?  In other words am I reading into the text a consistency
that isn't there ( perhaps influenced by my Christian background) ?

Messrs BenDavid, Martillo, and all others who read the Hebrew Scriptures 
- please comment.



Bob Brown {...ihnp4!akgua!rjb}