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From: martillo@mit-athena.ARPA (Joaquim Martillo)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: BenDavid on Polygamy in Judaism
Message-ID: <56@mit-athena.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 29-Oct-84 10:32:05 EST
Article-I.D.: mit-athe.56
Posted: Mon Oct 29 10:32:05 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Oct-84 06:34:39 EST
References: <1045@akgua.UUCP>, <274@edsel.UUCP>
Organization: MIT, Project Athena, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 32


>Jews of European origin (e.g. Ashkenazim) follow a post-talmudic decision
>know as the Takana of Rabenu Gershom which forbade polygamy for the next
>1000 years. This decision was never accepted among Sefardim and technically
>has expired although it is now followed because it is accepted custom.

I have in the past tried to find info about this tikun and the gathering
of Ashkenazi rabbis which accepted it.   I  have  been  unsuccessful  in
finding contemporary evidence.  The story has all the characteristics of
a myth used to justify accepting an incorrect  practise.   Example:   we
know  very little about Gershom and have very few of his writings but he
is reputed to be very great and to have extablished the system of  study
in  France.  This is just the sort of person to attribute basis for such
a practise.  Anyone know some hard and fast evidence.

>My understanding has alway been that Rabenu Gershom
>(light of the exile) promolgated this decision because
>he decided it was a necessary condition for the continued existence
>of Jews in Christian countries.

Worthwhile  to remember that if there was such a tikun approximately 98%
of the Jewish people rejected it at the time it was made.   And  it  was
only accepted by the rabbis of the intellectual backwaters of the Jewish
world.


>There are several examples of accepted polygamy in Tanakh (Torah, Prophets,
>Writings) including some that drew negative rabbinic comment. The extant
>prohibitions include marrying two sisters and favoring the son (as far
>as the birthright) of the more-beloved wife.