Question
Can a man 31 years marry a girl who is just 16 years old?
Answer
Yes, this is permitted as long as both parties freely consent to marriage and there is no secular law forbidding such a marriage.
Rabbi Aaron Tendler
Question
Just curious, don’t you think it is more than bizzare, if a person in their 30’s would seek out and marry a teen? (It is one thing when the couple is over 40 years of age and they have that huge [HUGE] generation gap.) I can’t help but wonder about the 30+ year old’s need to control someone and other deep psychological issues, needs, & problems. A teen is still a child and figuring out the world. A 31 year old with a 16 year old…that means the 31 year was probably involved with the 16 year before the age of consent. Smells & looks funny. Just my opinion.
PS Thank you for having this site. I do find it informative.
Answer
That would be an important factor for a Rabbi to consider if such a couple approached him to officiate at their wedding. But as far as Jewish Law goes, there is nothing inherently illegal about the age difference.