Polygamy in Jewish law

This short booklet contains an essay on the subject of polygamy in Jewish law. In this essay, we will review the history of polygamy in Jewish law. We will study the biblical and Talmudic law which permits polygamy’s and the later ban by Rabbeinu Gershom which prohibited it. Why was it banned? Does the band apply to even Sephardim? Does the ban apply even in today’s times? Can the ban be rescinded through the signatures of 100 rabbis? Are there any cases of exception by which the ban does not apply, such as if the wife consents to a polygamist marriage, or if it is being done for the sake of a mitzvah? What about if one’s wife has become insane and cannot be divorced or if she ran away? All this and more will be discussed throughout this essay.