Q&A: Family Purity
Family Purity
Question
A question between a husband and wife:
We’ve been married for about 20 years.
My wife is not from a religious home.
I have been religious from birth.
In the last five years I’ve become much more observant.
Is there a problem, during the permitted time to be with one’s wife, with finishing outside after intercourse?
In the past I understood that anything the wife wants is allowed, and so we continued this way whenever we didn’t want a pregnancy.
Sorry for the question, but I’m not so sure now.
I’m just not sure she would agree to take pills or use contraception.
As it is, the marriage is in a delicate state.
I’d like to know.
Answer
There is definitely a problem. If there is a real difficulty (the wife is absolutely unwilling either to use contraception or to avoid relations at the time of ovulation), one should consult a halakhic authority and describe the problem to him exactly as it is.
Discussion on Answer
Indeed.
I would avoid relying on these solutions, because they do not prevent pregnancy one hundred percent, and an unplanned pregnancy is not something desirable.
And if they don’t have relations on the days of ovulation, then presumably the chance of getting pregnant is smaller?