The basic reality of sexual relation between a man and woman is most clearly established by human nature. Traditional sources recognize that in Judaism companionship, love, and intimacy are the primary purposes of marriage, noting that woman was created in Gen. 2:18 because "it is not good for man to be alone," rather than because she was necessary for procreation. Islam being a religion of nature also confirms that sexual drive is a natural instinct that God has ordained within the sanctity of marriage. However, procreation-the goal nature wants to achieve with this union-is the general purpose of marriage in Islam. Of course the Jewish family begins with the marriage of a man and woman, but procreation is not the sole purpose of marriage as mentioned above with regards to Islam. Islamic and Jewish marriage traditions share many similarities, although their main purposes of marriage are quite different. The aim of this paper is then to demonstrate the significance of the marriages in Islam and Judaism, their traditions that should be rituals in today's marriage, as well also hoping to show the similarities between the two religions in terms of marriage.

of marriage. The institution of marriage was centered around the production of children and the caring for, protecting and providing for wives and children (Abdul-Rauf 11). Hence procreation rather than sensual pleasure was the prime factor in marriage. Marriage in Islam is regarded as a contract because it is based on the mutual consent of both man and woman and because it is dissoluble when the rights and duties, which are fixed, are not met (Abdul-Rauf 15). Marriage is viewed the same way in Judaism, vitally important and refraining from it is not considered holy. The Talmud says that and unmarried man is constantly thinking of sin (Lamm 167) therefore suggesting that marriage would keep him from committing this sin. Islam also thinks along these lines, that marriage is an institution ordained for the procreation of society in order that human beings may guard themselves against promiscuity and unchasity (Hekmat 11). According to Jewish law marriage is considered as a sacred act and a legal, contractual agreement. This contract much like that of Islam's, represents the agreement of a woman to financial support and other rights that she receives from a man. In the eyes of Jews, marriage as an institution is as much the creation of God as anything in the Torah (Lamm 167). In the Qur'an, Surah Al-Nisa lays out the foundations of marriage and reveals that polygamy was sanctioned, and other important ordinates were introduced, making provision for the maintenance and protection of women and children. The Talmud also explicitly states that one of the duties of a father is to see his son to the alter and to provide enough material support that his daughter will be marriageable (Lamm 160). The Talmud explains both the man and woman's obligations to one another in the marriage by the contract (Ketubah). The Talmud also states explicitly that the purpose of the Ketubah was to make sure that "it should not be easy for a husband to divorce his wife," a protections that is necessary under Jewish law since only the husband can initiate divorce (Lamm 162).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1959
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)