Israel's youngest divorcee is just 14 14-year-old girl receives $2,390 as she is divorced by 17-year-old husband after Jewish religious marriage.
TEL AVI - A 14-year-old girl has become Israel's youngest divorcee after splitting from her 17-year-old husband under pressure from the boy's parents, newspaper reports said on Thursday. A rabbinical court recognised the unnamed pair as married because the teens, both from religious Jewish families, performed the only three requirements of marriage under Jewish religious law -- ceremony, consent and sexual relations. Jewish religious law does not require the presence of a rabbi at a wedding ceremony. The boy gave his girlfriend a ring in front of friends who served as witnesses, and said: "Behold, you are consecrated to me by means of this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel." The two later consummated their union, newspapers said. When the boy's parents learned of the marriage, they demanded that he divorce, but the young bride initially refused. She reportedly relented after the boy's parents paid her 10,000 shekels (2,390 dollars, 1,874 euros). Their divorced status would likely appear on the teens' identity cards when they receive them at the age of 16. The Jerusalem Rabbinical Court then held expedited divorce proceedings for the pair and issued a statement hoping "that this story serves as a lesson to young people who have to understand that marriage is a serious affair." Israeli law does not allow for civil marriage, and those wishing to tie the knot may do so only in accordance with the customs of their respective religions. Jews may only marry in Israel in accordance with Halacha, but civil marriages from abroad are recognized. The story caused mixed reaction, with some Jews defending the child marriage. "Humanity hasn't changed, and the Torah and its teachings are eternal," said one commentator. According to Jewish religious law, she will not be able to marry anyone with the name of Cohen, traditionally from the Jewish priestly caste. Many commentators were more concerned with the Jewish law implications of the case, even discussing the religious view of the consequences of what is to happen if they had children. One commentator said she should perform a religious repentance; prompting a protest from another who said that she did nothing wrong to repent from. "What did she do that requires Teshuvah (repentance)? She was halachically married and had a physical relationship...the Torah allows a girl over the age of 12 to get married." Another commentator touched on the issues of virginity and polygamy. "The sexes are not equal in this regard; there really is a double standard. A guy has no virginity to lose, and ... he can have as many wives as he likes. Even after he gets married, she becomes a married woman, but he doesn't become a 'married man'; Jewish law doesn't recognise such a thing - he's 'the husband of a woman', but he's not 'married'. If he plays around with a single woman it's not adultery, and the kids are not mamzerim (bastards) http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/culture/?id=30649
