protested that this was too severe: it would be better not to marry than to be tied permanently to a potentially unfaithful woman. It is important to underline that I think Jesus does not allow divorce; he permits only separation. This is clearest in Paul’s summary of Jesus’ teaching, but it is also the clear implication of the Gospels, which all condemn marriage after divorce as adultery. So Jesus does not agree with Shammai, the strictest rabbi, who did allow marriage in cases of divorce for adultery.