Chapter 145 – Marriage

145.1) It is every man’s duty to take a wife after the age of eighteen.

145.2) Once you have a son and a daughter, you have fulfilled your obligation to propagate.

145.3) Even if you have fulfilled your propagation obligation, you should take a wife.

145.4) Divorce a woman after ten years if you have not propagated.

145.5) A woman is not obligated to propagate.

145.6) You should strive to marry a respectable woman from a respectable family.

145.7) If a woman is respectable it is okay to marry her for monetary considerations.

145.8) An unlearned man should not wed the daughter of a kohen.

145.9) It is a meritorious act to marry the daughter of your sister or brother.

145.10) Treat your wife with respect.

145.11) Do not dwell with your wife without a nuptial agreement.

145.12) A kohen is forbidden to marry a divorcee, a harlot, or a halalah.

145.13) A widow or divorcee should not marry within ninety days of the death or divorce.

145.14) If the widow or divorcee is nursing, she should not marry before her child is twenty-four months old.

145.15) A woman whose two previous husbands have died should consult a rabbi before marrying a third.

145.16) Consult a rabbi before remarriage if you have heard that your husband has died while away from home.

145.17) A man who commits adultery with a married woman may not marry her upon the death of her husband. This applies to wives as well.

145.18) If you have intercourse with a non-Jewess, you are not allowed to marry her even if she converts.

145.19) If a non-Jew has intercourse with a Jewess and then converts, he may not marry her.

145.20) If a man divorces his wife because she wishes to marry another, the other man may not marry her.

145.21) You should not live near a woman the rabbi has forbidden you to marry.

145.22) If you hear a rumor that your wife has committed adultery, consult an authority about whether you may live with her or not.

145.23) Do not marry a woman who has been divorced because of immodesty.

145.24) It is mandatory to divorce a quarrelsome, immodest, disrespectful woman.

145.25) You should give your sons and daughters in marriage immediately upon their reaching marriageable age.

145.26) Do not perform the marriage ceremony for two brothers or two sisters on the same day.