Partners in relations

Intimate Relationships
Marriage
Divorce

Intimate relationships

Intimate relationships should be based on mutual respect.

Courting should be conducted pleasantly, and in such manner that will not cause feelings of distress, anxiety, or discomfort for either party.

Rejection should be accepted, and resumed courtship should be reconsidered only if it does not cause anxiety, repulsion or discomfort for either party.

Any physical contact between people must be based on genuine and full consent by all parties concerned.

No sexual act, or consent for sexual act, should be gained as a result of threats, exploitation, pressure or coercion.

Behave in an open and candid manner; do not resort to misrepresentations and false illusions.

If you suffer from a disease that might jeopardize the health of your partner, disclose this information and enable them to decide whether to continue the relationship with you.

If a couple decides to formalize their relationship, each one of them must reveal all the important personal information concerning their personal, physical, health related, or family related condition, as well as any vital detail that might influence the other party's decision in this matter.

The couple must continue to behave respectfully to each other even after termination of their intimate relations, and refrain from revealing any secrets or intimate information they shared during their relationship.

As for the obvious question regarding intimate relationship between couples of the same sex, it is noteworthy to add that all of the above, as well as the coming chapters relating to marriage and divorce, applies for them just the same.


Marriage

Marriage is a bond between two people living together as a couple, and is based on love, trust, full partnership, and raising a family.

Living as a couple and raising a family requires explicit consent from both spouses, being of age, of sound mind, and legally as well as medically fit.

Every person has the right to live with their chosen partner and raise a family, unless it is clear beyond doubt that such union may bring harm to their future children.

Each partner in a relationship must make an effort and be worthy of the love, trust, and companionship of their partner.

Do not violate the trust and intimacy that are the basis of any relationship.

Avoid seduction, courting, or any such act that could have a negative effect on the marital relations of other couples. Remember that inability to curb your desire, especially for a one-time affair, can permanently ruin the relationship of several people and harm their children.

Bigamy is immoral and forbidden, and is absolutely contrary to the basic values of matrimonial principles.


Divorce

When love has ceased and a couple's life turns into unending and unbearable misery, it's best to terminate the marriage by divorce. This must be done in a way that will cause the least amount of irreversible damage to the children.

Relationships should not be imposed on anyone. Therefore, and contrary to marriage where mutual consent of both parties is required, it is sufficient if one of the spouses wishes a divorce for whatever reason.

During the divorce proceedings the couple should behave respectfully to each other, avoid as much as possible, and it is possible, any behavior that involves physical or verbal violence, accusations, insults and humiliation.

During the divorce proceedings, the couple must divide fairly and equally all assets accumulated during their marriage. This includes future income and rights, such as future pensions/allowances either of the spouses would be entitled to receive due to payments or provisions made during the marriage, such as for acquiring a profession.

The couple must make sure that the divorce will not cause any unnecessary harm to their children. For that purpose they should ensure continuous cooperation in the following areas:

Choosing, supporting and nurturing the proper educational framework;

Visitation arrangements that will ensure maximum continuous contact of the children with both parents;

Financial arrangements that will ensure the needs of their children;

Avoidance of mutual slander and accusations in the presence of the children, as well as any other action or behavior that could in any way effect the relations between the child and the other parent.