Divorce

In the cycle of life, there are moments of extreme joy and profound sadness, both of which come into play in connection with marriage and divorce. In the words of Rabbi Perry Netter (Divorce is a Mitzvah):

“Divorce is no less a life transition than marriage. But no invitations are sent out to attend the ritual of divorce. No one hires a caterer, a band, a photographer… While all other life cycles events are public, divorce is intensely private.

“Divorce is not about the division of property; it is about the division of lives. And lives are not divided until there is closure, until both partners accept that part of their lives and their history is dead and their marriage is over… The ritual of Jewish divorce choreographs the death of marriage. It is a ritual of termination, of cutting off, of final separation, leading to a process of closure.”

Under Jewish law, a marriage validly entered into can be ended only by the death of one of the parties or by a get. A get is a hand-written, legal document that formalizes the divorce. It is issued after a civil divorce is granted and is necessary for either party to remarry.

More information about divorce in Jewish law and thought is available in the Beth El Max Shapiro Library or from one of the rabbis.