Getting the Get

September 19, 2007 - 8:28 AM by Stephanie

The rabbinical laws of this land include a wife needing what’s termed a “Get” or an official divorce document from her husband if the two decide to split.

If the husband refuses to give the wife a Get, she’s up a creek. The rabbinical courts can try to help the couple repair the marriage or influence the husband if he’s reticent but if he’s not budging, the woman is stuck married to a lout, unable to remarry.

I’m not getting into my own thoughts on this particular aspect of the Jewish religion. Let’s just say that I don’t embrace it.

So when I read stories of the rabbis maneuvering in clever ways to help turn the tide, it fills my heart with glee.

In Beer Sheva, one such husband perpetually refused his wife a Get. She didn’t wanna be with him because he was facing a lengthy prison term; she told the rabbis she flat out didn’t want to be around someone ‘like that’ now or in the future.

Hubby was summoned before the rabbinical courts dozens of times and repeatedly asked to “let her out of the marriage.” He would have none of it.

“Not until the day I die,” he told the council. “Instead of supporting me in my time of need she’s leaving me? She won’t get a Get from me!”

Yeah well…that was BEFORE the rabbis came up with a clever solution; last week one of the rabbis found out that this gem of a man has a $25,000.00 debt to Israel’s equivalent of the Social Security Administration.

We’ll cover the debt if you sign on the dotted line the rabbis suggested when il contrairo was summoned to a special session.

Guess who put pen to paper?

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