Are They Married?
Question
Shalom. My question is this: Based on the Torah alone, if a man and a woman who are not married lay carnally with each other, are they now married in God’s eyes (the woman is a widow, therefore not a virgin)? Thank you.
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Marriage is only effected in a Jewish wedding ceremony complete with a Chuppa, witnesses, the required blessings, and an orthodox rabbi ensuring that everything is proceeding according to Jewish law.
It goes without saying that intimate relations are forbidden outside of marriage.
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