For Orthodox Jewish couples in New York, divorce involves two parallel tracks: the civil divorce through the state court system and the religious divorce through a Beth Din (rabbinical court). Understanding how the Beth Din process works is essential for anyone navigating divorce within the Orthodox community.
What Is a Beth Din?
A Beth Din (plural: Batei Din) is a rabbinical court that adjudicates matters according to Jewish law (halakha). The term literally means “house of judgment.” A Beth Din typically consists of three dayanim (rabbinical judges) who are ordained rabbis with expertise in Jewish law.
Major Batei Din in the New York Area
Beth Din of America: The largest and most widely recognized Orthodox Beth Din in North America, affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA).
The Get: Core of the Religious Divorce
The get (גט) is the religious divorce document that must be given by the husband and accepted by the wife to dissolve a Jewish marriage. Without a get, the parties remain married under Jewish law regardless of their civil divorce status.
Key Principles
Voluntary act: The husband must give the get willingly.
Proper procedure: The get must be written specifically for this couple by a qualified scribe (sofer).
Witnessed delivery: The husband must deliver the get to the wife before qualified witnesses.
The Get Ceremony: Step by Step
The get ceremony typically takes 1-2 hours at the Beth Din:
1. Verification: The dayanim verify both parties’ identities.
2. Writing the get: The sofer writes the document (about 45-60 minutes).
3. Delivery: Husband hands get to wife.
4. Acceptance: Wife accepts the get.
5. Documentation: Both parties receive proof (ptur).
Cost of Beth Din Proceedings
Most Batei Din charge $400-$800 for a straightforward get ceremony. This typically includes administrative processing, the sofer’s fee, and documentation.
Working with Both Systems
The key to a smooth Orthodox Jewish divorce is coordinating the civil and religious processes. Your civil attorney should understand the Beth Din process and timing considerations.
At Neuhaus & Yacoob, we regularly work with Orthodox clients navigating both systems.
Schedule a consultation: Call (718) 975-1123 to discuss your situation.