Books, tapes, seminars. Everyone seems to have something to say about creating a successful marriage. In my seminar, "The Happy Wife: How to Make a Good Marriage Great," here's how I summarize the key to a great marriage:
The husband has to constantly make his wife feel that she is the most important thing in his life.
Allow me to explain. Men tend to compartmentalize their lives. Whatever they are involved in at that moment becomes the most important thing. This is a great trait because it induces excellence in whatever he is trying to accomplish. If he's lucky, he'll also love what he is involved in.
But in a marriage, a problem begins to unfold when the wife feels that whatever her husband "loves" takes priority over her. She is happy for him to be passionate about his outside interests. She wants him to have independent success and external accolades. His success is her pleasure. But the moment a wife feels that she is not as important to her husband as those outside interests, she feels she needs to reestablish the relationship bond that has appeared to weaken.
Seven Plus Seven
A story in the Torah illustrates this idea. Jacob went to his uncle Lavan's house to find a wife. He met Lavan's daughter Rachel and they both knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. So Jacob made a deal with Lavan, to work for seven years to earn the right to marry Rachel. Lavan agreed.
Seven years came and went. The wedding day approached and Jacob was very excited. They had a wonderful wedding and all seemed well. The next morning, Jacob woke up to find that he was deceived by Lavan, who had switched his older daughter Leah in place of Rachel. Jacob had married the wrong girl! He was livid. He ran to his father-in law and exclaimed that he wanted to marry Rachel, not Leah. Lavan explained that in this community, no one ever married a younger daughter off before an older daughter. No one!
Jacob was stuck: If he wanted to marry Rachel, he had to remain married to Leah, and if he annulled his marriage to Leah, he could not marry Rachel. He decided to remain married to Leah so that he could marry Rachel, his true love. Lavan said this would not be a problem if Jacob committed to work an additional seven years. Lavan's business had become very successful under the guidance of Jacob, and he did not want to lose his "cash cow." Jacob agreed to the deal. After one week he married Rachel, and worked seven more years for his conniving father-in-law.
Which is it: loved or hated?
Right after Jacob and Rachel were married, the Torah states that "[Jacob] also loved Rachel" (Genesis 29:30). If Jacob "also" loved Rachel, that means he loved Leah as well.
The next verse, however, shocks our love story: "God saw that Leah was hated." Leah was hated?? We just read that Leah was loved by her husband. Which is it: loved or hated?
The Torah is sharing with us a very deep marriage insight. Leah felt "also loved." When a woman feels "also loved" by her husband, she feels hated. A wife need to constantly feel that she is the single most important thing in her husband's life. She needs to feel that she is THE love in his life that everything else is measured by.
Paying the Bills
Sometimes a wife will ask, "Do you love me?" That's a big warning sign, because it means that she's not getting the reassurance that she is the most important thing in your life -- THE love of your life."
Why do women seem to need that constant reassurance?
As we said, men tend to compartmentalize their relationship. When they are focused on being loving and affectionate, they will be loving and affectionate. But when they are focused on another task, like meeting a deadline, paying the bills, or socializing with friends, this becomes their primary focus, and not the marital relationship! When this happens, a wife feels she is taking a back seat to this new task.
By contrast, no matter what a woman is engaged in with her husband, she never loses sight that they are still relating.
I have seen a husband switch into a business tone of voice with his wife when paying the household bills. "It just has to get done. Tough questions have to be asked. Nothing personal!" He has no idea that he is making his wife unloved, criticized and distant from him. He thinks he's just paying the bills!
A wife, however, feels that although the task has to be completed, the relationship is still the primary focus. She finds it unacceptable for him to distance himself from her, and act as if he's talking to a colleague at work.
Shared Space
Making your spouse feel that they are the most important aspect of your life can be extended to another area as well. It is very important for a husband and wife to constantly be on each others' side in public. One should never take another person's position against your spouse; this includes your children, friends, strangers, and of course, in-laws. This is the surest way to make your spouse feel "also loved." It drives a wedge between the two of you, and causes some trust to be lost.
They have to feel that you are always covering their back.
It makes no difference if your spouse is right or wrong. You need to back them. They have to feel that you are always covering their back, watching out for them, and that you will catch them if they fall.
I've seen a husband take a waiter's side against his wife when she was taking too long to order in a restaurant. Empathizing with a stranger's frustration at the expense of your wife's feelings is not the recipe for marital harmony!
I've seen a wife roll her eyes and declare, "Not this story again!" at a crowded dinner table, when her husband was about to tell over one of his favorite episodes. She is embarrassing her husband -- and for what gain?
When we make our spouses feel that our universes are shared space and that "what happens to you is also happening to me," then we begin to make them feel that they are the most special part of our lives.
And this is the greatest way to say, "I love you."
(15) Anonymous, April 8, 2007 12:41 AM
i'm not his priority
We have a long distance marriage, he is in the process of earning his bachelor's degree and working on becoming an officer. His job and his goals are his priority. Sometimes even video games take priority! I feel hurt and frustrated. He doesn't agree with my feelings. If i don't call or respond minimally to him, he won't want to know why, it's not important to him; I knew when i married him that he had goals, but i didn't know he wouldn't know how to accomplish his goals without compromising our marriage. Don't know what to do.
C,D.Urbach, February 24, 2013 6:44 AM
Author?
Perhaps the author could address this woman's question. Or was it perhaps addressed off-the-record? My humble opinion...no one can tell you how much YOU can handle,really. If you're depressed from it, or suspect infidelity,you must take action. If you want to stay in it regardless of the pain...find an engrossing distraction for yourself to balance it out. I don't know you, and in 6 years a lot may have changed, but I figured I'd try my 2 cents.
(14) julia, May 19, 2006 12:00 AM
extroverts turned in
i thought sam's attitude was one of an extrovert turned in by a painful episode of life. often people become scared and bitter after a bad relationship or a difficult childhood. it sounds like a nice guy who say girls falling for jerks a his expense and decided that was a possible strategy. girls may want tough guys, but they soon realize the ones who are consistently compassionate are the real tough guys
(13) Helen, April 27, 2006 12:00 AM
The treatment of people not just women.
I find it concerning that a person thinks that jealousy is acceptable in a marriage or in any relationship. The idea is to make your spouse feel loved at all times even when you are working or paying bills. In a good marriage the lines of communication should be open and people should treat each other with respect. Just taking time to listen to your spouse can be enough. It is not enough to just be in the room with your spouse. When speaking to her/him face your spouse. Your gestures of love do not have to be grand. The little things count more.
I feel that this article is spot on; however, a husband needs to feel that love from his wife as well.
(12) Anonymous, April 27, 2006 12:00 AM
spot on
I read the other comments and am so happy to see so many men taking an interest in creating a happy, healthy marriage. I feel sorry for "Sam" who commented that this is not true for most women. It does not sound like he's married. I think women do want to feel that they are the most important in a husband's world. And a husband wants to feel like a queen. That's when things are working in a beautiful balance. If the husband feels like a king and the wife does not feel like a queen, then she's feeling like a servant and THAT is a drag, lonely and sad.
It's good to learn in details the way a husband and wife can create a safe and happy home. I'm in a great marriage, thank G-d, and we can never take each other for granted. It's like a garden that needs to be tended, and when tended and mature, is so lush and wonderful.
If you've made it this far in my post, there here's a little tidbit that I heard once that I love: "The grass is greenest where you water it!"
thanks!
(11) Andrea, April 27, 2006 12:00 AM
Glad I am Not Married to Sam
Treat a woman 'just fair' and make her jealous? That sounds like the kind of thing a man who was clueless would say. I guess you get what you give though, so Sam, if that works for you and your wife, great, but I bet if you asked her, she would tell you different. Its a pity too. Poor woman.
(10) Anonymous, April 26, 2006 12:00 AM
I agree
This is right on target. Women tend to view their relationships as central to their lives and happiness...men can somehow switch on and off.
(9) Mark N., April 26, 2006 12:00 AM
You do not need to treat a wife like a "queen" to make her feel loved, but you do need to let her know that she is more important than anything else when it comes down to making a choice of who's love and admiration you want. If the answer you get is not "my wife" than why did you get married anyway, if you needed a mother you should have stayed at home. Go Rabbi!!
(8) Beny, April 26, 2006 12:00 AM
Scary but right on!
When I first heard about this in a lecture a few years ago, I was in shock. I didn't get it. I was upset. I thought the Rabbi was crazy. I finally understand what he meant and now (after a few failed relationships) I can finally comprehend the mystery of women and happy relationships. Men and women are SO different! It is a MIRACLE that marriages can work! Thank you for sharing your insights; one day I hope to learn how to DO it ;>)
(7) Anonymous, April 26, 2006 12:00 AM
I think reb arye might be falling into the womens lib trap which says that men have no feelings & few rights. the reverse to his scenario happens quite often in todays world
(6) Sam, April 26, 2006 12:00 AM
In real life , women don't like to be treated like queens !!!
Well , in real life , treat a woman like a queen , make her feel that all your life is about her AND you'll lose her and her respect !!!!!!
That's strange , but it's the case in 90 % of relationships........
When you treat her just fair , make her feel jealous sometimes , you'll keep her attentive to you !!!!!
Strange but true !!!!!!
(5) thatwouldbegreat@gmail.com, April 25, 2006 12:00 AM
something for husbands
I found this interesting
(4) Lesley Levy, April 24, 2006 12:00 AM
Loving my husband the way he loves me
This article came at such a wonderful time. It really has inspired me. This is how he treats me every day of our lives. He currently not here and I miss him terribly, yet this article reminded me hoe incredibly fortunate I am to be in love with a man who is in love with me. No more selfish tears am I going to cry. I'm smiling right now. Thank-you for this wonderful uplifting feeling. Now I know why he becomes distress on the phone when I cry. I will make him so proud of me. He has so many other worries, he can take that one off his list!. Take Care All
shalom
(3) Anonymous, April 24, 2006 12:00 AM
thank you
thank you so much for your article it was very inspiring and i really gained an insight which will help me in my realtion ship thanks, tizku lemitzvot
(2) Anonymous, April 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Doesn't Ring True For Me
This may very well be true for some women, maybe even the majority of women, but it doesn't ring true for me or my relationship with my husband.
I'm definitely a female, or I was the last time I checked, but I tend to compartmentalize my affectionate mode, and I definitely get carried away with my enthusiasms, sometimes to the exclusion of thinking about my spouse. I'm grateful he has his enthusiasms too, or else I'd feel really guilty. We have a fun and happy marriage and I really don't need to hear "I love you" all the time in words.
I do agree with the bit about taking your spouse's side, though. More than anything, you have to remember that you're both on the same team.
(1) Mordecai Spiro, April 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Put the key out first.
I think the central insight about "also loved" is excellent - and absolutely outlines the problem. How did Jacob solve the problem?