Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ,

Does Judaism Promote Child Sex?

Evidences are being used from the Talmud which according to Encyclopaedia Judaica its authority is quite clearly defined:

After the completion of the Talmud as a work of literature, it exercised a twofold influence as a historical factor in the history of Judaism and its followers, not only in regard to the guidance and formulation of religious life and thought, but also with respect to the awakening and development of intellectual activity. As a document of religion the Talmud acquired that authority which was due to it as the written embodiment of the ancient tradition, and it fulfilled the task which the men of the Great Assembly set for the representatives of the tradition when they said, “Make a hedge for the Torah” (Ab. i. 2). Those who professed Judaism felt no doubt that the Talmud was equal to the Bible as a source of instruction and decision in problems of religion, and every effort to set forth religious teachings and duties was based on it; so that even the great systematic treatise of Maimonides, which was intended to supersede the Talmud, only led to a more thorough study of it. In like manner, the Shulḥan ‘Aruk of Joseph Caro, which achieved greater practical results than the Mishneh Torah, of Maimonides, owed its authority to the fact that it was recognized as the most convenient codification of the teachings of the Talmud; while the treatises on the philosophy of religion which strove as early as the time of Saadia to harmonize the truths of Judaism with the results of independent thinking referred in all possible cases to the authority of the Talmud, upon which they could easily draw for a confirmation of their theses and arguments. The wealth of moral instruction contained in the Talmud exercised a profound influence upon the ethics and ideals of Judaism. Despite all this, however, the authority enjoyed by it did not lessen the authority of the Bible, which continued to exercise its influence as the primal source of religious and ethical instruction and edification even while the Talmud ruled supreme over religious practise, preserving and fostering in the Diaspora, for many centuries and under most unfavorable external conditions, the spirit of deep religion and strict morality.[1]

So what does the Talmud, say about sex with children? Well, we’ve got to define the term “child” in order to continue:

A child is one who has not entered into the age of sexual maturation. This meaning the age at which one is able to begin sexual reproduction.

“Puberty is the stage of life during which you become biologically and sexually mature. It is the entry into adolescence, a period of tremendous changes in the body, emotions, attitude, values, intellect and relationships. This is the transition from the world of the child that gives way to the world of the adult.”[2]

A standard definition of a child, supports the above claim:

A child is defined as:
child (chīld)
n. pl. chil·dren (chĭl’drən)

1. A person between birth and puberty.
2. A person who has not attained maturity or the age of legal majority.
3. An unborn infant; a fetus.
4. An infant; a baby.[3]

Thus in simple terms, a child, is one who has not attained the age of puberty, i.e. sexual maturation.

So what does the Talmud say about child marriages and intercourse with innocent, young, infants?

An infant is defined as:

in·fant (ĭn’fənt)
n.
1. A child in the earliest period of life, especially before he or she can walk.[4]

How many kids under the age of 4 (four) do you know who can walk?

What does the Talmud say?

“Our Rabbis taught: It is related of Justinia the daughter of ‘Aseverus son of Antonius that she once appeared before Rabbi ‘Master’, she said to him, ‘at what age may a woman marry?’. ‘At the age of three years and one day’, he told her. ‘, And at what age is she capable of conception?’ ‘At the age of twelve years and one day’, he replied. ‘I’, she said to him, ,
‘married at the age of six and bore a child at the age of seven; alas for the three years that I have lost at my father’s house’. But can a woman conceive at the age of six years? Did not R. Bibi recite in the presence of R. Nahman: Three classes of woman may use an absorbent in their marital intercourse: A minor, and an expectant and a nursing mother. The minor,20 because otherwise she might become pregnant and die.”[5]

What exactly did we just read?

1. Jews can have sex with infants who are at the age of 3 years and 1 day old.
2. It was common practise to do so, as the woman admits she became pregnant from intercourse.
3. The merciful side to this is, have sex with an infant, but you something to absorb the sperm so she won’t die from intercourse.

It Only Gets Worse From Here.

IF ONE WAS YOUNGER THAN THIS AGE, INTERCOURSE WITH HER IS LIKE PUTTING A FINGER IN THE EYE. It was asked, Do the features of virginity disappear and reappear again or is it possible that they cannot be completely destroyed until after the third year of her age? In what practical respect could this matter? — In one, for instance, where her husband had intercourse with her before the age of three and found blood, and when he had intercourse after the age of three he found no blood. If you grant that they disappear and reappear again [it might well be assumed] that there ‘was not sufficient time for their reappearance, but if you maintain that they cannot be destroyed until after the age of three years it would be obvious that a stranger cohabited with her. Now what is your decision? — R. Hiyya son of R. Ika demurred: But who can tell us that a wound inflicted within the three years is not healed forthwith, seeing it is possible that it is immediately healed and it would thus be obvious that a stranger had cohabited with her? Rather the practical difference is the case, for instance, where her husband had intercourse with her while she was under three years of age and found blood and when he had intercourse after the age of three he also found blood. If you grant that the features disappear and reappear again the blood might well be treated as that of virginity, but if you maintain that they cannot be destroyed until after the age of three years, that must be the blood of menstruation. Now what is your decision? — R. Hisda replied, Come and hear: IF ONE WAS YOUNGER THAN THIS AGE, INTERCOURSE WITH HER IS LIKE PUTTING A FINGER IN THE EYE; what need was there to state, LIKE PUTTING A FINGER IN THE EYE’ instead of merely saying: IF ONE WAS YOUNGER THAN THIS AGE, INTERCOURSE WITH HER IS of no consequence’? Does not this then teach us that as the eye tears and tears again so do the features of virginity disappear and reappear again.[5]

wa Allahu Alam.

Sources:
[1] – Talmud, It’s Authority, The Jewish Encyclopaedia {Encyclopaedia Judaica}, 1901-1906.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=32&letter=T&search=Talmud#149

[2] – Entry into Adolescence, Stage of Biological and Sexual Maturity, Puberty, Young People.
http://www.ifsha.org/yp/puberty.htm

[3] – Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/child

[4] – Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infant

[5] – Babylonian Talmud : Tractate Niddah, Folio 45a
http://www.come-and-hear.com/niddah/niddah_45.html