Fighting for Judaism in the Jewish state
THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Seth Farber
RA’ANANA, Israel — I have not been detained by the Israeli police on my way to morning prayers, but I am preparing for that eventuality. That’s the new reality of life in the Jewish state for those of us who publicly oppose Jewish fundamentalism. In Israel, the ultra-Orthodox chief rabbinate is legally responsible for sanctioning all Jewish weddings and divorces. Under Section 7 of Israel’s Marriage and Divorce Ordinance, any marriage or divorce that isn’t registered with the rabbinate is illegal. The potential punishment: two years in prison. These are just the latest moves by extremist elements in the government to make life in the Jewish state less welcoming for anyone who doesn’t identify with ultra-Orthodox Judaism. [More]
By Seth Farber
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| An ultra-Orthodox Jewish bride entering the men’s section of a wedding, to fulfill the mitzvah tantz, in Netanya, Israel.CreditOded Balilty/Associated Press |
