F4
We are forbidden to afflict our wife by withholding food, clothing, or marital rights.
Category: Marriage & Family
Type: Positive
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: impossible, mandated
Context: Ancient Understanding — Gentile female, Gentile male, Jewish female, Jewish male, K'rovat Yisrael female, K'rov Yisrael male, impossible, mandated
Context: Modern Understanding — Gentile female, Gentile male, Jewish female, Jewish male, K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
| Group | Person categories | Application | Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Understanding | Gentile female, Gentile male, Jewish female, Jewish male, K'rovat Yisrael female, K'rov Yisrael male | impossible, mandated | GFi GMm JFi JMm KFi KMm |
| Modern Understanding | Gentile female, Gentile male, Jewish female, Jewish male, K'rov Yisrael male | mandated | GFm GMm JFm JMm KMm |
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
-
Ephesians 5:25-33
- 1 Peter 3:7
- 1 Timothy 5:8
Key OT Scriptures
-
Exodus 21:7-11
Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent
Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
It is clear from the totality of the Scriptures (and especially from the New Covenant Scriptures), that the overarching commandment is for men to love their wives. The particulars of this Mitzvah in singling out food, clothing, and marital (conjugal sexual) rights is forced upon us because it is treated that way by the classical commentators, and we felt that we should respond accordingly. Many Scriptures address men but are clearly applicable to both men and women. We understand that wives are to love their husbands but the responsibility of this Mitzvah is directed specifically to husbands.
Classical commentators
Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch use Exodus 21:9-10 to support their mitzvot that we must not withhold food, clothing, or marital rights from our wives. The context of the Scripture that they use to support their mitzvot is that of a wife who was previously a slave, marries her master, and the master subsequently marries for a second time when his first wife no longer pleases him.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MN42
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2