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On the thread about the Gila story, someone wrote “Divorce is a dirty word.” I have to disagree.
Divorce exists in Judaism for a reason. It can be a mitzvah. An entire masechta is dedicated to it. In many cases, a divorce is necessary. Here’s an example:
Unfortunately, there are people who are abusive towards their spouses. Let’s say there’s a woman whose husband beats her. Would you say her getting divorced is a terrible thing? Of course not! For her, it’s a fantastic thing!
Divorce on its own is not bad. Divorce for the right reasons is a great thing. Only divorce for the wrong reasons is bad.
Not to directly compare, but it can also be a mitzvah to execute someone. Being a mitzvah doesn’t necessarily entail it being something fantastic.
Correct. Divorce for the right reason is permitted, and a Parsha in the Torah, meant to be used, not abused.
The reality is though, that the vast majority of divorces are unnecessary, especially when children are involved.
It has to be important enough for the Mizbeach to cry (for the husband).
It has to be worthwhile that even if she remarries, it can never ever have the depth and satisfaction that a first marriage can have (for the wife, since she’s not “koreth brith” to a second husband)
Kids suffer terribly
It’s serious business.
Feif Un…
You are correct that “Only divorce for the wrong reasons is bad.”
The problem IS that, more and more frequently, it IS done for the wrong reasons.
Are we really gonna go through this again?
“It has to be worthwhile that even if she remarries, it can never ever have the depth and satisfaction that a first marriage can have (for the wife, since she’s not “koreth brith” to a second husband) “
Seriously? I think you exaggerate when you say, “never ever have the depth…” Clearly if the couple is divorcing, there is a basic LACK of depth or satisfaction at least on one spouse’s part.
I have seen MANY people whose second marriages not only had greater depth and joy than the first one even remotely gave them, but even in the case of one who was widowed of a HAPPY marriage, that the second marriage brought them at least as much and sometimes more simcha.
evryone has opinions but when people are suffering its best to be quiet . the Torah allows divorce for a reason. and while it is always sad sometimes it is very necessary. lets respect others and not discuss their personal business. whoever isn’t a party to their marriage shouldn’t have an opinion.
There is also a masechta in Shas called Temurah
I don’t know how anyone would ever know that a specific divorce was done for the wrong reasons, or that any divorces ever are done for the wrong reasons.
Just what reasons would be wrong anyway? Presumably, people only divorce when they are not happy together. I can’t think of any better reason.
Seriously? I think you exaggerate when you say, “never ever have the depth…” Clearly if the couple is divorcing, there is a basic LACK of depth or satisfaction at least on one spouse’s part.
It’s not an exaggeration. I said can = potential. “Ain isha koreth brith ela l’baalah horishona”.
popa_bar_abba:
We’re not judging those who’ve already divorced, or any specific divorce. We’re discussing those who are married. Everyone should be aware, that despite what Western culture teaches us, divorce aint so full of bliss.
Do you disagree?
I posted a link a couple of weeks ago on a relevant thread, that was deleted (I guess because of the link?) to an article that appeared in the JP. The writer claimed that fifty percent of those who go for marriage counseling get divorced.
I would Assume that many married couples never go for counseling. Based upon this assumption, many people who get divorced never even bothered to try and save their marriage through counseling!
What does that say, the divorces were absolutely necessary?
Just what reasons would be wrong anyway? Presumably, people only divorce when they are not happy together. I can’t think of any better reason.
Not being happy together is NOT a valid reason to get divorced. It’s a reason to work on being happy together, including getting outside help. Not being able to be happy together even after putting in the fullest effort to might be a good reason, but for many, unfortunately, the reason is not inability, rather, unwillingness. And even if we can’t always judge whether or not a couple put in their fullest effort, sometimes we can.
divorce rox
“whoever isn’t a party to their marriage shouldn’t have an opinion.”
So true! In my case, a few people convinced my wife to divorce me. I’m almost 100% sure that it would have never happenned without them.
no one ever knows what exactly is going on in someone else’s marriage. just because you think a marriage could have been preserved does not make it so. even when you are IN the marriage, you may be clueless as to how your spouse really thinks or feels.
Truth,
The Gemara mentions the Mizbe’ach crying for her.
Popa,
I’m sure you know the Gemara’s example of the wrong reason.
HaLeiVi:
Google tells me its in Gitten 90B. The loshon seems to suggest him. That would be the difference between “aishes neurov”. I may be wrong
” even when you are IN the marriage, you may be clueless as to how your spouse really thinks or feels.”
This could be in the marriage, but once one decides to get divorced, believe you me, the spouse knows exactly how the other thinks and feels!
This discussion is ridiculous — there are ofene Gemoros as to when a divorce is appropriate and when it is not. And the Gemora is not as machmir as some of the very frum fellows here wish it did.
Truth,
Learn through the whole thing. You should notice that the Gemara finishes off with the Pasuk saying, “Why is this? Because of the bride of your youth that you betrayed.”
When it says, it cries “on him”, it means about him, about his actions.
Why do people assume it is the standards of divorce which changed? Maybe it is marriage which changed.
Not being happy together is NOT a valid reason to get divorced. It’s a reason to work on being happy together, including getting outside help. Not being able to be happy together even after putting in the fullest effort to might be a good reason, but for many, unfortunately, the reason is not inability, rather, unwillingness…
I must strenuously disagree with the above statement. 1. There are many couples who are willing to work. On trying to get along but whose personalities are just so different that they cannot work out their differences.
2. I cannot fathom why somone would think that its beneficial for children to grow up in an envronment of stress and discord.
3. Why do both parties have to be miserable for 50-f0 years?? If they both remarry they can have many happy years together wih their new spouses…
daas- I like what u said up untill the last part.. I dont think anyone can EVER judge. Nor should they.
I think ppl should stop being so “concerned” about others. Its not genuine. Work on ur luv for neigbors by saying thank you. Stop judging and mind ur own business.
What differentiates Judaism from Catholicism is that things like divorce, and r”l, abortion, are viewed by Judaism as evils which are sometimes necessary. Now, divorce and abortion are nowhere near each other in terms of severity, as the latter involves the taking of a life, but our Torah is certainly not pro-divorce. It is written that the Mizbeach weeps when there is a divorce, but sometimes, when there are the utmost extentuating circumstances, divorce can be necessary, such as where there is abuse, fraud, psychological harm, etc. Likewise, while abortion is viewed as akin to murder, it is necessary under the most extentuating circumstances, i.e. when the mother will die from the pregnancy. This is the crucial difference between the two faiths- ours is a faith that is 100% committed to human life and the integrity of the family, but nonetheless releases that there can be cases where these become necessary evils.
HaLeiVi: it means about him, about his actions
You are very sweet. What is it I said? Where is the disagreement?
Why do people assume it is the standards of divorce which changed? Maybe it is marriage which changed.
Does it make sense for people to consider divorce without ever seeking to improve their marriage? Do you disagree with my assumption, or do you think all those who do remain married use marriage counselors?
Rebyid40:
There are many couples who are willing to work. On trying to get along but whose personalities are just so different that they cannot work out their differences.
So how did they ever get married in the first place? How did they ever have children?
(I think Rabbi Salamon’s parenting book discusses this idea at legnth)
I cannot fathom why somone would think that its beneficial for children to grow up in an envronment of stress and discord.
And what exactly is divorced life for the kids, stress-free and harmonious? Think again. Especially based upon so many divorces in our community with ugly custody battles. The kids are used as pawns.
(Whenever I see undeniably disgusting behaviors during the divorce process, I do become judgmental. I will automatically assume that the party playing the silly games was at fault for the dissolution of the marriage. And when both sides do it, I judge them both for being at fault. If we would all do it, maybe divorces would be more civil.)
Why do both parties have to be miserable for 50-f0 years?? If they both remarry they can have many happy years together wih their new spouses…
“Can” and reality don’t match on this one. The exact numbers have been cited here several times. Second marriages have huge increase in divorce rate from first marriages.
So unless there is truly a compelling reason, its more probable for that second time to fail. The grass aint greener on the other side.
When you say you are crying for A, are you really saying that you feel bad for B that suffered under A? Not in English. The Mizbe’ach is crying for her, because of him.
I’m not trying to be picky, but I am trying to rectify a misconception that it cries no matter what. When you see the Pasuk and realize that it says for what he did to her, it’s obvious that when it is to her benefit, it could only rejoice.
Ainodmilvado says:
‘The problem IS that, more and more frequently, it IS done for the wrong reasons. ‘
Who died and left YOU to decide whats considered right or wrong?
Its a mitzvah for a man to divorce his wife if thats what she really wants. I know an unfortunate case where a man dragged his wife for 5 yrs just to torment her.
Whatever the case, I heard a shiur from a famed speaker who thought that infidelity is not a reason to break up a family! Acoording to her, anything else less than physical abuse was not grounds for divorce when you have kids.
Then there are ‘shono rishono’ cases where Rabonim unfortunately write very quickly.
Every Bais Din has there own way of handling a situation like this, but there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong reasons.
Its a mitzvah for a man to divorce his wife if thats what she really wants.
That is not necessarily so. The Torah has guidelines when she can demand one and when she cannot demand one. She cannot simply demand one “if thats what she really wants”, but it is not one of the Torah’s guidelines to so demand.
When a divorce is finalized, we say “Mazal tov!”
Why is divorce more common nowadays? I believe that women used to be more likely trapped in bad marriages. They were limited in career options and being a single mom had HUGE stigma attached if they could even pay the bills. Abuse was not really discussed. Many women (and less often men) were trapped in their marriage.
Most of the divorces I know were for good, valid reasons.
Many 2nd marriages fail because the person remarrying didn’t address the issues with the first marriage. Those issues don’t go away overnight.
Grandmaster,
I am alluding in cases where the guidlines are met.
Whatever the case, I heard a shiur from a famed speaker who thought that infidelity is not a reason to break up a family!
The Rebbetzin is 100% correct. It may be considered in pop culture and in the gentile world the utmost reason for her to demand a divorce, and that idea unfortunately may have seeped in to some quarters, but that doesn’t make it the case.
Well, I guess it depends on which one. It might actually be a Chiyuv.
I did specify which one in my comment. I’m sure the Rebbetzin was referring to same. Obviously the other direction is a chiyuv, like you said.
HaLeiVi: Please translate the Gemora here. The Gemora does not say that the Mizbeach is crying for her. Not at all.
My point was, this consideration is one that a man must take into account. A woman should take really contemplate the other Gemora, about her being unable to be “koreth brith”.
SJSinNYC:
Most of the divorces I know were for good, valid reasons.
Many 2nd marriages fail because the person remarrying didn’t address the issues with the first marriage. Those issues don’t go away overnight.
I don’t get it. If the divorces were for good valid reasons, that means that that woman (usually were trapped, as you put it- or man..) did not do any wrong in their marriage. It was the “other’ spouse. They had nothing to improve, other than finding Mr./Ms. Perfect.
And if they need to address it in order to make the second marriage work, why not address it prior to the divorce and make the first marriage work?
If people would work on their marriage, they wouldn’t have to worry about divorce.
I read in Rav Ezriel Taubers book on marriage that a spouse becomes like a limb. When you would cut it off if it was a limb, you should get divorced.
Ralph- thats true as long as by people we mean both partners of the marriage.
Sometimes the ONLY answer is a divorce. No one should be made to feel stigmatized that they got out of a bad marriage. Nor should they be forced to remain in that marriage. Many quickie divorces would not happen, if the couple knew what they were realistically getting into when they became engaged. Too many girls today romanticize the idea of marriage, especially when their husbands will be learning fulltime for a time. Then they become very disillusioned and resent their men for not providing for them (as the Kesuvah mandates them to). Instead of feeling they can work on saving the marriage, they opt out. We live in a very disposable society, apparently.
s2021: Very true. Both have to work on the marriage. A woman placing a husband reading a bok for women, and showing his wife what she is doing wrong, won’t work. A woman placing a shalom bais article in their husbands sidur, won’t work.
Each has to improve themselves. (Of course spouses should seek the spirtual best for thei spouse, but out of care and love of the spouse.
Divorce is a sad commentary any way you look at it, but sometimes it is a necessary evil that heals rather than destroys. Sometimes it is the marriage that is destructive and the divorce that rebuilds.
My philosophy is “Make you marriage work for the sake of the kids, if there is no way you can, then make your divorce work for the sake of the kids”.
oomis1105:
You’ve said this many times, it’s the kolel people who are the cause of divorce. Time and again. So please, why do MO people get divorced (I heard a speech from a principal in a MO machmir school, he said about 20% of his student body were from divorced homes)? Are all these divorces truly the only answer?
Why don’t kolel people have this divorce rate (though they do have a divorce rate that seems way too high)
If couple spent as much time thinking about what their MARRIAGE will, realistically, be like, as they do thinking about what they want their WEDDING to be like…
We would have many fewer divorces!
Truth be told,
Some people aren’t compatible together. Some people bring out the best in each other, some people bring out the worst in each other. And yes, sometimes one spouse is totally at fault for the divorce.
But marriages have baggage. Good marriages, bad marriages. If you don’t fix any problems, you may have more issues.
I don’t know if I’m being clear at the moment.
SJSinNYC: No, don’t understand how what you wroteyesterday adds up. If people are meant to be married (as the creation of man and woman makes clear), then why is there a higher divorce rate for second marriages higher than for fist marriages, if the half or even the majority of divorcees are faultless? The divorce rate should drop in half, not become higher.
I think one of the BIGGEST problems is, simply, that people are not really honest with each other before they get married.
Possibly not honest about many issues, but most importantly about what their own true hashkafas ARE. What they really ARE, not what they are SUPPOSED to be, or SHOULD be, what they ARE.
They “fake” their hashkafas (maybe even to themselves) to be what they think are what people want to hear.
Why? Because they want to GET married.
They don’t stop to think what the ramifications of this deception will be when they ARE married.
BIG, BIG, BIG mistake.
OOmis – “Then they become very disillusioned and resent their men for not providing for them (as the Kesuvah mandates them to).”
This does sometimes make for bad marriages or divorce in the yeshiva world. A person should be mature enough to know what it means when they say “I want a learning guy”. Also, just because your hubby isn’t doing the right thing acc. to you because he isn’t supporting the family, who gave you the right not to work?
Two wrongs don’t make a right. In America right now most couples are forced to work to provide for their families, why are Frum Jews different?
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