For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 22
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The rabbis discuss marriage and divorce. King David was permitted to be alone with Avishag. Was this because he was weak? He was not permitted to divorce one of his wives so that so that he could marry Avishag. Rabbi Yochanan states that a wife dies only if a man cannot pay what he owes. He also teaches that if a man's first wife dies, it is like the Temple was destroyed in his lifetime.
Rabbi Alexander says that the world darkens for a man whose wife dies. Rabbi Yosi bar Chanina says that his step gets shorter. Rabbi Avahu says that his advice will not be valuable. Rabba bar bar Chana changes the topic, turning to the difficulty of matchmaking: it is as difficult as splitting the sea. Rav Yehudah taught about the creation of new people: forty days before a fetus is formed, a Heavenly voice announces a new match. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman teaches that everything has a substitute except for the wife of one's youth. Rav Yehudah tells us that one feels contented only with his first wife.
We explore various topics on the subject of matchmaking and marriage.