What will become of the ‘easy’ cases?
Agunah Day reminds us that any woman trying to move on from a failed marriage can get stuck when her husband insists that she capitulate to his will again and again and again
Sunday, March 8th, the world marked International Women’s Day, an impressive celebration of smashed glass ceilings. The status of women has never been better. Monday, the Fast of Esther, which falls out this year on March 9th, marks International Agunah Day — a painful reflection on the status of Jewish women, held captive by their husbands under the aegis of Jewish religious law, with no way out.
The convergence of these two events intensifies and emphasizes the absurdity and injustice. The shame and disgrace are hard to bear.
Each year, we represent about 150 severe cases of women being refused a get. Each time, we think we have seen and heard it all, and each time we are surprised anew when reality surpasses our imagination. Husbands who are abusive, lock women inside their homes, bring in other women, pursue young girls, or young boys, at times, they are addicted to drugs or gambling. The wife’s body is desecrated, her home is destroyed. Perversely, the harsher and more shocking the case, the better her chances of becoming free. That is, of course, only if the husband hasn’t fled the country…
But what happens in the “easy” cases?
What will happen to L., who has been separated from her husband for two years already, but whose husband refuses to divorce her because of the insult of separation. He did not beat or abuse her, but the communication between them was poor and there is not even the smallest spark of love left. None of the counseling or therapy or advice have helped; she feels there is nothing between them. No common language, no joy, no future, and precious little past. They were young and foolish and married for the wrong reasons, and now she is being held prisoner. And he? He has “no reason to divorce her.”
What will happen to her?
For two years, they have been coming and going to and from the religious courts. She has already signed away some concessions, and his price just keeps going up. He does not want to divorce her, he probably doesn’t want money, he just wants to see her capitulate to his will again and again and again. It’s been two years and he still hasn’t had enough.
Just yesterday, we were notified that another request we filed for a hearing on restriction orders for the recalcitrant husband was denied. Once again the court is sitting on the fence, refusing to obligate him to divorce her. She has “no cause” for divorce, nothing more than a dead marriage. What will become of L., who has no hair-raising story, only a deep desire to find love, to continue with her life, to raise a family. What will become of her?
Agunah Day is a painful reminder of the reality that can come knocking on every woman’s door. Be smart, be responsible, don’t marry without signing a prenuptial agreement to prevent get-refusal. A prenuptial agreement to prevent get-refusal can change your story. Such an agreement will guarantee that there are two copies to the keys to freedom, one for each of you, so you can both choose whether or not to remain in the relationship.
