Unfolding circumcision controversy makes the case for civil marriage and divorce in Israel

In light of the recent developments in Israel's circumcision controversy, Hiddush CEO Rabbi Uri Regev points out that this dispute could be easily handled outside of the rabbinical courts if civil marriage and divorce were allowed for Israelis.

19/12/2013 15:54

Tags: circumcision · Rabbinical Court · Supreme Rabbinical Court of appeals

Rabbi Tzion Boaron of the Supreme Rabbinical Court in his home. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

In response to an Israeli mother's Supreme Court petition against the Supreme Court for Rabbinic Appeals' order to circumcise her son, Hiddush-Freedom of Religion for Israel President Rabbi Uri Regev said, "the latest development in Israel's circumcision controversy is another proof that we must end the Israeli rabbinical courts' fundamentalist Orthodox monopoly over marriage, divorce, and custody battles (which have now come to include circumcision). Beyond the obvious need to review the rabbinical court's order, It is high time to allow civil and non-Orthodox marriage and divorce, which are still not legal in Israel."

The mother was fined $140 a day until she circumcised her child; an issue which arised during her divorce. In October, the Netanya Rabbinical Court ruled that the father could circumcize the boy despite the mother's objections. The Supreme Rabbinical Court of Appeals subsequently fined the mother for every day that she refused to circumcise the baby.

Beyond the obvious need to review the rabbinical court's order, It is high time to allow civil and non-Orthodox marriage and divorce, which are still not legal in Israel."

Rabbi Regev noted that "the rabbinical courts have barged in on the traditional Jewish practice of circumcision like an elephant browsing in an antique shop. The decision, which should be exclusively based on 'the best interests of the child,' has been decided by such considerations as: circumcision is required to establish 'the Jewish claim to the Land of Israel' and 'the procedure is necessary to prepare the Jewish soul for a life of Torah study.' If anyone thought a religious court is the right place to solve this parental dispute, they should look at the rabbinical courts' ruling, which proves otherwise."

According to Rabbi Regev, "The current government coalition has created a rare opportunity to adopt civil marriage and divorce in Israel and recognize marriage from all Jewish denominations. The latest developments in the circumcision case remind us how important it is to make the most of this opportunity before it is too late."