Kesher Talk

Giving a "get" -- helping Orthodox Jewish women get divorced: One of the more annoying aspects of Jewish law is that only a man can institute a divorce. Unless a women gets permission from her husband to divorce him -- called a "get" -- she cannot officially divorce him. Some husbands withhold them out of vindictiveness or to extort financial or custody settlements from their wives. Women denied gets are forbidden from remarrying or even dating, and are called "agunot" or "chained women."

The issue has long rankled many in the Orthodox world because of the impact on women, some of whom are trying to escape abusive relationships. Now, efforts are under way to make life easier for women fighting for their "get."

posted by Howard @ 6/11/2002 02:34:56 PM