Parashat Ki Tetze: Creating a deep bond and the secret of marriage
The relationship between a man and a woman is also, in a sense, a reflection of the relationship between a person and his Creator.
Parashat Ki Tetze discusses the importance of creating a deep bond within marriage, and how this bond can evolve over time. The Torah emphasizes that a couple should seek a partner who completes them, providing a sense of belonging and new creation. This bond is likened to the creation story, where God created Adam and Eve to complete each other.
Studies show that people need a stable, familiar place to fulfill their emotional needs, and for many, that place is their family, consisting of a spouse and children. The Torah even mentions this need at the beginning of creation, when God states that it is not good for man to be alone.
Over time, relationships can change, and couples may find themselves feeling distant or even separated. The Malbim, a Torah commentator, proposes that modern people often want to know everything about their partner before marriage, which can create an emotional peak that may not be sustainable after marriage. In contrast, traditional Jewish matchmaking encourages a slower approach, allowing couples to build their love together throughout their marriage.
This gradual building of love allows for shared experiences, challenges, and acts of kindness to strengthen the relationship. The "days of mercy and slihot" also encourage approaching God, and by extension, our partners, with the same mindset of connection and commitment, rather than solely focusing on emotion. By following this path, the writer hopes readers will experience everlasting love in their marriages.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
