A get is a document which terminates a Jewish marriage and certifies that a couple is now free to remarry according to Jewish law. In the State of California, the document has no bearing or effect on any aspect of the civil settlement and makes no reference to responsibility or fault. The get itself is a bill of divorce consisting of twelve lines which is hand-written by an experienced scribe under the supervision of a Rabbi and signed by two authorized witnesses.
Although a civil divorce is certainly necessary to end the civil marriage, according to Jewish law (Halacha), a Jewish marriage is not dissolved until a Jewish divorce document (get) is exchanged between husband and wife. Most American rabbis, and the Israeli rabbinate will not officiate at a wedding in which either party has been divorced without a get because according to Jewish law, the original couple is still married.
Though Jewish divorce proceedings have not changed over several thousand years, their nature is similar to most present-day legal transactions. However, for Jewish couples that do not dissolve their jewish marriage with a (get), they may not find a rabbi to officiate their wedding, and their children may be barred from marrying in large segments of the Jewish population.
To further complicate matters, some Rabbis will advocate for a Get prior to any civil divorce proceedings while other Rabbis will advocate that no Get should be given until the civil divorce proceedings are final. While such opinions may vary amongst Rabbis, women and men's lives hang in the balance until these very serious issues are resolved.
If you find yourself at the intersection of Jewish law and civil law and cannot determine the best steps for your future, please contact us for a free consultation.
Although a civil divorce is certainly necessary to end the civil marriage, according to Jewish law (Halacha), a Jewish marriage is not dissolved until a Jewish divorce document (get) is exchanged between husband and wife. Most American rabbis, and the Israeli rabbinate will not officiate at a wedding in which either party has been divorced without a get because according to Jewish law, the original couple is still married.
Though Jewish divorce proceedings have not changed over several thousand years, their nature is similar to most present-day legal transactions. However, for Jewish couples that do not dissolve their jewish marriage with a (get), they may not find a rabbi to officiate their wedding, and their children may be barred from marrying in large segments of the Jewish population.
To further complicate matters, some Rabbis will advocate for a Get prior to any civil divorce proceedings while other Rabbis will advocate that no Get should be given until the civil divorce proceedings are final. While such opinions may vary amongst Rabbis, women and men's lives hang in the balance until these very serious issues are resolved.
If you find yourself at the intersection of Jewish law and civil law and cannot determine the best steps for your future, please contact us for a free consultation.