Original version

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Radio

World Service Radio

Heart and Soul

Documentaries

Religion & Ethics

Personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.

Marriage in Israel

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

Heart and Soul: Heart and Soul Gathering: Marriage in Israel

Jewish wedding ring

12/01/2019 GMT

Heart and Soul Gathering

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, Heart and Soul Gathering, Marriage in Israel

Why is religious marriage the only option in Israel?

Tim Franks is in Jerusalem with a live audience and a panel of guests to discuss Jewish marriage and divorce in Israel.

Many young Jewish people living in Israel feel religion has too big an influence over their private lives.  Numerous aspects of life are governed by a council made up of orthodox rabbis called the Rabbinate. They decide who is and isn't Jewish and by extension who can and can't marry.  

Supporters of the organisation say this helps preserve Jewish identity. Critics say it means thousands of people who are not deemed 'Jewish enough' can't marry each other, forcing couples to leave the country to have a ceremony that will be recognised by the authorities when they return home. 

The religious monopoly on marriage also means Jews cannot marry non-Jews and as the council of orthodox rabbis rule on divorce for every married couple in Israel, many say this disadvantages women. 

Tim Franks is with a live audience and a panel of guests to discuss whether the Rabbinate should be stripped of its monopoly, or whether the current rules protect the identity and values of the Jewish faith. 

This special Heart and Soul Gathering from the BBC World Service is the third programme in a series of faith-based community discussions.  

Produced by Louise Clarke-Rowbotham.

Photo credit: Jewish Wedding Ring - Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Heart and Soul: Heart and Soul Gathering

Discussing faith at the heart of communities

Discussing faith at the heart of communities.

Discussing faith at the heart of communities.

Image: An array of candles (Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Heart and Soul

Heart and Soul Gathering

Marriage in Israel

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC World Service

About BBC World Service