In ancient times, the Second Temple was a place of worship for Jews where they came to offer sacrifices and prayers to God.
It was also home to a set of laws that regulated sexual relations between men and women. These laws were known as the Jewish marriage codes, and they contained some surprising prohibitions and restrictions that are still relevant today. This article will explore which of these rules remain in force and how modern interpreters understand them differently than their original authors did.
One of the most important sexual taboos from the Second Temple is the ban on intercourse during a woman's monthly cycle. The rabbinic interpretation of this law is that a man must avoid contact with his wife while she is bleeding because it could cause him to become impure. This idea has been carried forward into many contemporary religious traditions, including Christianity and Islam, but its exact meaning has changed over time. In Judaism, the concern about purity remains strong; in other faiths, there may be more emphasis on cleanliness or health reasons.
Another sex rule from the Second Temple that continues to influence religious thought is the prohibition against homosexuality. While many people nowadays view homosexuality as an acceptable form of love and expression, traditionalists believe that God created humans as male and female for procreation purposes. Thus, any deviation from that design is considered sinful by those who follow the biblical text closely. In recent years, however, progressive voices have argued for acceptance of same-sex relationships within mainstream faith communities.
The final taboo worth discussing here involves bestiality - having sex with animals. Some ancient texts suggest that this was permissible under certain circumstances (such as when one partner was too young or infirm), but others condemn it outright. Today, few people would defend animal copulation as morally acceptable, even though some cultures still engage in it.
Modern attitudes toward nonhuman-human interactions can vary widely depending on context, location, and personal beliefs.
These three rules from the Second Temple period continue to shape our understanding of sexual ethics today. While they may not always be followed literally or completely, they provide a framework for thinking about what constitutes right and wrong in matters of intimacy. As we learn more about human nature and develop better ways to communicate about desires, expectations, and boundaries, these codes will undoubtedly evolve further over time.
Which Second Temple sexual taboos persist in contemporary religious thought, and how have interpretations shifted?
In contemporary Judaism, sexual intercourse with one's mother, father, sibling, stepmother, stepsister, grandmother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece is still prohibited by the Torah (Genesis 18:8; 20:12).