What is agunah Judaism?
An agunah (“chained woman”) was traditionally a woman whose husband had disappeared in wartime or at sea, for example. Such a woman could not remarry under Jewish law because her husband could not be proven to be dead.
Can a man be an agunah?
Male “agunim” To prevent this decree from causing flippant divorces previously unnecessary, Rabbenu Gershom also decreed that “a woman may not be divorced against her will.” These decrees made it possible for men to become “agunim” just as women become “agunot”, if his wife should disappear or refuse to accept a get.
Who gives a get?
Traditionally, only a husband can start the “get” process. However, some streams of Judaism now allow women to ask a rabbi or rabbinical court to start the get process to convince a husband to give a get. In order to begin the get process as a woman, you can speak to your rabbi.
What is a Mamzer in Hebrew?
Definition of mamzer 1 : a child of a union not sanctioned by biblical law as interpreted by the rabbis. 2 [Yiddish mamzer, from Hebrew mamzēr] : a child born out of wedlock.
Does a man need a get to remarry?
It is religiously forbidden for either spouse to remarry without a get. For the man, he is in violation of Orthodox Torah law, but it is worse for the woman, since doing so is considered adultery according to Jewish law, and children conceived in it mamzerim.
Do Jews believe in prenups?
THE HALACHIC PRENUP IS NOT PART OF OUR JEWISH TRADITION. Halacha recognizes that, sometimes, a marriage is not working and needs to end. The prenup is a simple and effective tool to ensure that the halachic divorce process can proceed in a respectful and compassionate way.
Who can a mamzer marry?
Marriage restrictions Thus, in traditional Jewish law, a mamzer and his or her descendants are not allowed to marry an ordinary (non-mamzer) Jewish spouse. The restriction does not prevent a mamzer from marrying another mamzer, nor from marrying a convert to Judaism, or a non-Jewish slave.