The most recent issue of Patriarchs’ Journal (V. 3 Issue 21) has a very thought provoking article by attorney Rick Knuth titled, “So Which ‘Traditional Marriage’ Do People Want To Save?’
“Until the passage of Married Women’s Acts in 1898, a married woman’s property was controlled by her husband, even property she brought it into the marriage. Married women were legally incompetent to transfer assets or make binding contracts for themselves…
“This was preceded by an even older tradition, “coveture,” under which a woman, once married, lost her separate identity. The wife was considered to be her husband’s property, and all she owned was under his control. He could dispose of his wife’s property and could command her labor, even her body itself.”
In fact, Knuth points out in his short and rather pithy article that marriage as a ‘romantic union between a man and a woman’ is quite a new ‘tradition.’ Among other valid points he presents, Knuth reminds the reader that civil and state regulation of marriage is also more occasional than traditional. As I have pointed out, the state has no place in marriage bonds and, for that matter, Scripturally, neither do religious ‘authorities.’
The point to really consider is, ‘are God’s ways better than man’s? Cognitively, we know the resounding answer is ‘Yes!’, but our flesh often cries out against it. Just as with Shabbat, feasts and eating clean, we should simply embrace the Word of God regarding family structure and marriage while trusting that blessings follow obedience.
Additional thoughts regarding marriage, family and the restoration of Israel in our Restoring Kol Israel series.
natsab 
Book Review: Genesis Look Again, A Fresh Translation with Notes
Recently, as I have been assembling a weekly commentary on the Torah Portions that focuses n headship and patriarchy, a major theme, I have been utilizing and enjoying Rabbi Yirmeyah Ben Avrom’s recently published Genesis Look Again, A Fresh Translation with Notes.
I became acquainted with Rabbi Ben Avrom a couple years ago through online interaction and very early in our communication, found a faithful friend who has a passion for ancient languages and pursuit of truth. Through our interaction, I learned of his family, the fellowship he leads and about the sacrifices he has had to make to pursue with zeal the gifting he has for translation and explanation. Imagine my excitement when he told me that he was in the process of writing a fresh translation of the Torah, complete with notes and comments that shed light on parts of the text not often touched.
This year, as we approach each book of the Torah, he is releasing the respective translation on Kindle with automatic updates while he fine tunes this mammoth work with an eye toward publishing in hardcopy. Genesis is currently available and my regular readers have seen me quote or cite it every week. I love this translation and the attendant notes! Here are a couple images of the view in Kindle and the expected view in hardcopy.
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