Islam and Judaism: Traditions in Marriage
             The basic reality of sexual relation between a man and woman is most clearly established by human nature. Traditional sources recognize that in Judaism companionship, love, and intimacy are the primary purposes of marriage, noting that woman was created in Gen. 2:18 because "it is not good for man to be alone," rather than because she was necessary for procreation. Islam being a religion of nature also confirms that sexual drive is a natural instinct that God has ordained within the sanctity of marriage. However, procreation-the goal nature wants to achieve with this union-is the general purpose of marriage in Islam. Of course the Jewish family begins with the marriage of a man and woman, but procreation is not the sole purpose of marriage as mentioned above with regards to Islam. Islamic and Jewish marriage traditions share many similarities, although their main purposes of marriage are quite different. The aim of this paper is then to demonstrate the significance of the marriages in Islam and Judaism, their traditions that should be rituals in today's marriage, as well also hoping to show the similarities between the two religions in terms of marriage.
             Islam is a strong advocate of marriage. The institution of marriage was centered around the production of children and the caring for, protecting and providing for wives and children (Abdul-Rauf 11). Hence procreation rather than sensual pleasure was the prime factor in marriage. Marriage in Islam is regarded as a contract because it is based on the mutual consent of both man and woman and because it is dissoluble when the rights and duties, which are fixed, are not met (Abdul-Rauf 15). Marriage is viewed the same way in Judaism, vitally important and refraining from it is not considered holy. The Talmud says that and unmarried man is constantly thinking of sin (Lamm 167) therefore suggesting that marriage would keep him fro...