The Netivot Religious Council managed to conduct a chasenah within a matter of hours after learning the father of the kallah’s health was deteriorating rapidly. Unfortunately, he was niftar within days of the chupah.
Generally speaking the process takes time for the couple must bring and witnesses that they are single and the kallah must learn the basic halachos of taharas hamishpacha. In this case, the kallah, from the Former Soviet Union, was required to prove she is Jewish as well. Generally speaking, the process take a number of months or at least a number of weeks.
Netivot Chief Rabbi Pinchas Cohen Shlita however decided to expedite the process after learning the kallah’s father was extremely ill and time was of the essence if he was to see his daughter get married. With the assistance of other rabbonim in the local rabbinate and officials in the Ministry of Religious Services, the chupah was expedited. The chupah was held in the city’s religious council office.
The task of getting the required permits in place and addressing the other requirements was placed in the hands of Rabbi Aaron Cohen, a son of the city’s chief rabbi. “The moment they turned to me and I understood the situation I did not hesitate to begin working to expedite the chupah, enlisting the assistance of others. The chosson and kallah were very emotional as well as pressured. I have not had such a situation for a very long time” stated Rav Aaron Cohen.
The kallah thanks all those involved, expressing her hakoras hatov for their exceptional efforts.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
Interesting. According to halacha, all one needs is a hasan and kallah, a kesubah, a kiddushin (usually a ring) and witnesses. Mikvah before hand is highly encouraged but technically not required. The idea of a waiting period in advance (which is derived from the English law of posting banns is NOT part of Jewish tradition).
Most Israeli problems with marriage are self-inflicted, and come from having decided that halacha isn’t good enough for Israeli law.