The Jewish Family:

A Community of Faith

Betrothal and Marriage

• People married early in life.– Men married no later than age

twenty– Women married as soon as they

were physically able to bear children, which the Law defined as twelve and a half years of age.

• Mary was probably no older than fourteen when she bore Jesus.

Period of Engagement • Marriages were arranged by

the parents– The father of the

prospective husband

• The marriage was preceded by a period of betrothal, or engagement, which lasted for about a year.

• The year gave the couple time to get to know each other. – The Law recognized many of the rights and obligations

of marriage during the time of betrothal.– For example: a betrothed woman found guilty of

adultery was stoned to death, just as she would have been if she were married.

• She was considered the property of her future husband

– Such punishments applied only to women• Adultery by a man was a crime only if it involved a

married or betrothed woman, because in that case the act injured the stability of a family.

The Wedding Feast• The wedding was a great

event• Sometimes lasting for

more than a week• There was much eating

and drinking– The lack of wine might

ruin the party• Ex. The wedding at Cana

The Husband’s Role

• After the marriage, the husband was recognized as truly the head of the family.

• His wife even called him lord or master.

• Sons and daughters were recognized as his property– Even the Law allowed

the father to sell them into slavery if they committed a crime.

• Had the right to put to death a child who disobeyed.

Monogamy • Polygamy had been allowed for men early in the history of the Jews.

• By the time of Jesus, monogamy was recognizes as the ideal.

A Patriarchal Society• Women were considered the property of

men.• Women were considered inferior to men.• Women did not eat with men but instead

ate while standing and serving them.• Women kept a distance from men on the

streets and were restricted to certain areas of the Temple.

• Jesus & women– His disciples “were astonished that he

was speaking with a woman” (John 4:27).

• Despite the inequalities, Jewish women and children actually had a better life and were more respected and loved than those of many other cultures of the time.

• Women did have some recognized rights in Jewish society– The right to be housed, clothed,

and fed

• Jewish men took this responsibility seriously

Social classes

• In the Jewish society, part of what determined social position was religious tradition.

• The priestly class could claim some degree of social importance or nobility on religious grounds

• No Middle Class– A few rich, many poor

• There were very few rich people– only those who had somehow acquired land and the power

that went with it – or who had accumulated wealth through trade or political

influence.

• Jewish society also had its very poor– who were comparable with today’s homeless people.

In-groups and Outcasts• Ancient Jewish society included many

occupations and trades. • People who worked hard were greatly respected.• Some workers were held in higher esteem than

others. – Sandal makers and woodworkers were

thought to be better than tanners (who smelled bad) and perfume salesmen (who were in continual contact with prostitutes).

• Outcasts include – those who were labeled unclean

• lepers

– the extremely poor– the sick– the women– The Samaritans

• All these people were excluded from the center of religious life