The Marriage Covenant: A Guide to Jewish Marriage

First published in Hebrew in 2002, this book has become the accepted guide in the Israeli national-religious community to marriage and the laws of family purity. The English version offers young couples a clear discussion of issues relating to marital intimacy and sexuality, providing halakhic guidelines and sources in an accessible manner and dealing respectfully with practical questions that arise in daily life in contemporary society. Never losing sight of the emotional and psychological aspects of marriage, the author stresses the importance of developing respect for differences and individuality within a marriage while learning to live together in harmony. Rabbi Knohl, one of the authors of the Israeli pre-nuptial agreement, (The Agreement for Mutual Respect), deals with many real-life situations, and suggests possible leniencies within the halakhic system. It includes a 56 page supplement, “A Guide to Marital Relations from a Torah Perspective.” Noting both Ashkenazic and Sephardic customs, the book contains sections on weddings and sheva berakhot.