“Be fruitful and multiply” is the first commandment that God gives to humans. A man
and a woman together can create life, which is the closest a mortal can ever come
to God, the creator of all life. (The dominant view in Rabbinic Judaism)
Women/sex/desire are defiling and are incompatible with spiritual holiness. (The more strict Essenes, Qumran Community, and early Christian monasticism)
Abstinence from sex is the highest ideal, but monogamous sexual relationships are
okay. (The less strict Essenes, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians)
Children are necessary to perpetuate the species or spread a religion. (Only works if you think the physical world will last another generation)
Jewish law and Gentiles who want to join the people of God
Different views:
Gentiles are not welcome. (At least some Jews at the time took a hard separatist position.)
Gentiles are welcome if they keep all the commandments, including circumcision and
avoiding pork. (At least some Jews at the time allowed Gentiles to join as equals under equal requirements.)
Gentiles are welcome if they keep those few commandments God gave to Noah (the ancestor
of all nations), not the commandments given only to the Israelites at Sinai. (Acts 15, the most radical break in the Jesus movement from Essenes and other Jewish
groups.)
Being Christian means not being Jewish, so none of the laws are binding on any Christians
even if they were born Jewish. (Probably not original intent of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, but it was interpreted
that way in later generations.)