[Lurking Libertarian]

That's true in most Muslim countries, and was true throughout the Middle East back in Biblical times. I'm not certain when it became unpopular and even illegal in the West.

By the time of the second Temple, there is virtually no mention of polygamy among Jews. The Talmud says that it is not strictly forbidden by the Torah, but should be discouraged. The rabbis formally banned polygamy for Jews during the middle ages (IIRC, in the year 1000).

[MineralMan]

"By the time of the second Temple, there is virtually no mention of polygamy among Jews. The Talmud says that it is not strictly forbidden by the Torah, but should be discouraged. The rabbis formally banned polygamy for Jews during the middle ages (IIRC, in the year 1000).


"

Thanks.

[malakhi]

The rabbis formally banned polygamy for Jews during the middle ages (IIRC, in the year 1000).

They didn't formally ban it, but they did make the requirements so stringent that it became for all practical purposes impossible.

This restriction also didn't affect anyone other than Ashkenazi Jews. I have read that polygamy still occasionally occurs among Sephardic and Yemeni Jews even today.