In Judaism, must only women stay virgin until marriage, or men too? In other words, according to Jewish teaching, is it only wrong for a woman to fornicate? I'd prefer a person of Abrahamic faith, or good knowledge of them to answer! Thanks in advance!
there is no single Jewish teaching. Two Jews, three opinions. Therefore this answer is based on my studies. In the Orthodox ideal, both partners would come to a first marriage pure. But family purity goes all though a lifetime, so this is one part only. I have long thought that virginity codes are to make sure children have full support since many women would be cast out as a "shame" should they conceive without a legal mate. this is neither agreement nor disagreement, simply how I see it.
if you are referring to prostitution in the Tanakh, that was temple prostitution, and the "shame" was more that one was not worshiping Ha Shem.
