Divorce
Although Judaism may look with disfavor upon divorce, it is not prohibited.The rabbis of the Talmud considered marriage a holy contract, and the dissolution of marriage an unholy act. They quote the prophet Malachi, “. . .the Lord has been witness between you and your wife of your youth against whom you have dealt treachorously, though she is your companion, the wife of your covenant.”
In biblical law a husband has the right to divorce his wife, but a wife cannot initiate a divorce. About 1,000 years ago, Rebbeinu Gershom ben Yehuda (965-1028) decreed that a husband could no longer divorce his wife without her consent. This decision was accepted as binding by European Jewry.
A Jewish religious court can compel the husband to grant a divorce when there is a just case, such as when a husband refuses to have marital relations, when he does not provide adequately for her support or when he is unfaithful.
Get is the Hebrew word for divorce document. Since a Jewish marriage is entered into by the issuance of a legal contract between husband and wife, it can be terminated only by the issuance of a legal writ nullifying the original contract. A get may not be issued unless a civil divorce is first obtained, just as a Jewish marriage ceremony may not be conducted without first fulfilling all civil requirements.
A Jewish divorce is similar to many present ¬day legal transactions. A divorce contract is drawn up under rabbinical supervision and signed by witnesses. A Jewish divorce usually takes an hour or two, during which time the get is prepared and executed.
In Sydney a Get can only be issued by The Beth Din of Sydney and they should be contacted directly for further information.
The Sydney Beth Din
The Great Synagogue
166 Castlereagh St
Tel: 9267-2477
sydneybethdin@gmail.com /secretary@bethdin.org.au
learn more about a Jewish divorce:
http://bethdin.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Gett08.pdf