A Bad Marriage: Jewish Divorce and the First Amendment
42 Pages Posted: 13 Mar 2008 Last revised: 12 Aug 2009
Date Written: 1995
Abstract
This article argues that it is unconstitutional for civil laws, such as the New York "Get" Law, to require that Jewish men give their wives a religious divorce when seeking a civil divorce. The article argued that the process of obtaining a Jewish divorce is inherently religious, and that it is a violation of the Free Exercise Clause to require that someone perform a religious act or ceremony in order to obtain a civil benefit, such as divorce. The article also argues that laws like the New York Get Law violate the Establishment Clause by using the authority of the state to coerce plaintiffs in divorce proceedings to become involved in a religious ceremony. The article concludes that such laws are dangerous to those who seriously practice their faith and that "historically, few religions, especially religious minorities, have fared well once they have asked the state to interfere with their internal structure." Thus, "in the end, observant Jews and all other religious people will be better served by a legal system which avoids entangling itself in the intricacies and complexities of religious law."
Keywords: free excercise clause, establishment clause, first amendment
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation