Is it permissible for a man to cheat on his wife according to the Torah? Why?

Hello and blessings,

The Torah is very strict regarding a husband who cheats on his wife, as implied by the verses from the prophet Malachi, chapter 2, verse 13: "And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of Hashem with tears, with weeping and sighing, because He no longer regards the offering, nor receives it with goodwill from your hand: Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because Hashem has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant: Did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.'

Of course, there is no hint of any understanding toward men cheating on their wives here. I do not recall such powerful words regarding women’s infidelity toward their husbands, even though the Torah is stricter there in terms of punishment. The Torah has clearly expressed the terrible immorality of a husband cheating on his wife.

The severity of the matter is not determined solely by the level of punishment. Ramban explains that the positive commandments in the Torah stand on a higher level than the prohibitive ones, and even so, the punishment for prohibitive commandments is more severe than that for neglecting positive commandments. He clarifies that the very absence that the soul experiences from neglecting a positive commandment is already the greatest punishment possible. Thus, sometimes the sin for which the Torah does not impose a punishment is actually more severe, and the act itself is, in essence, a horrific transgression.

Wishing you success - Menashe Israel