Also known as: rabbinical divorces · rabbinic divorce · rabbinic divorces · get · Jewish divorce
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A form of divorce recognized under Jewish law that is effected by the husband's delivery of a document known as a get to the wife. The wife must voluntarily accept the document for the divorce to take effect under Jewish law.
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Rebecca Ross obtained a civil divorce from her husband in state court. Months later her husband arranged for a rabbi to prepare the get and personally delivered the document to her at their former home. Rebecca accepted it voluntarily, completing the rabbinical divorce under Jewish law.
Rosa Ruiz received a civil divorce judgment but her husband refused to deliver the get. She petitioned the rabbinical court for enforcement, arguing that his withholding prevented her from remarrying under Jewish law and affected custody arrangements.
Rita Russell and her spouse obtained a civil marriage and later a civil divorce. They then approached a rabbi to issue a get so that both parties could remarry within their faith community under Jewish law.
Roger Ramirez consulted his lawyer about property division after a civil divorce. The lawyer explained that a separate rabbinical divorce via get was still required before Roger could remarry under Jewish law.
Renee Rogers sought a rabbinical divorce after her civil marriage ended. Her husband conditioned delivery of the get on favorable financial concessions, prompting her to seek relief in both civil and rabbinical forums.
Raphael Rivera challenged the validity of a prior rabbinical divorce in a subsequent civil proceeding. The rabbi who supervised the get delivery was called to testify about whether the wife had voluntarily accepted the document.
A get, which is a document signed by a rabbi, must be delivered by the husband to the wife. The wife must voluntarily accept it for the divorce to be valid under Jewish law.
Supporting sources
No. Jewish law requires that the wife voluntarily accept the get from her husband. Without voluntary acceptance the divorce is not effective under Jewish law.
Supporting sources
No. A civil divorce dissolves the marriage under state law but does not satisfy the requirements of Jewish law. A separate rabbinical divorce via get is required for the parties to be considered divorced under Jewish law.
Supporting sources
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