Negative Mitzvah 355: It is forbidden to take a woman as a wife without marriage
Deuteronomy 23:18 "There shall be no indecent women among the daughters of Israel"

A Jewish marriage must be held according to the law of the Torah.

This includes the entire wedding ceremony with all its details and procedures and the signing of the marriage contract.

A person is forbidden to take a woman as a wife without fulfilling these requirements.

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Working for a living is good. G-d wants us to be involved in the material world in order to make it spiritual. What's not good are the anxieties over making a living. Don't let your inner self get involved in your business. That inner self must be preserved for fulfilling your purpose in life. Making lots of money is not your purpose in life.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com