Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal

Misogynistic Jewish men call it “feminist cancel culture” when a community backs a woman whose husband won’t give a get. But get-refusal isn’t a hashtag. It’s a halachic problem with real consequences. A man is obligated m’d’oraita to support his wife while married. When the marriage is functionally over and he withholds a get to… — read more

In Halacha, the sin involved in creating mamzerim through Gett abuse is understood on two levels: the direct violation tied to the forbidden relationship, and the indirect culpability of the spouse who causes it through withholding a Gett. 1. The direct Halachic violation A mamzer is a child born from specific forbidden sexual relationships outlined… — read more

Characterizing a chained wife, an Agunah, as sexually promiscuous is both defamatory and abusive. The claim is defamatory because it spreads a false and injurious statement about her moral and religious character within her community, where sexual fidelity and adherence to Halakha carry serious social consequences. It is abusive because it weaponizes stigma to punish… — read more

While the legal definition provided focuses on physical safety, the concept of coercive control in modern domestic litigation is broader than just fear of physical harm. It is about the systemic destruction of a person’s autonomy. Defining Gett Abuse as Coercive ControlThe withholding of a Gett, a Jewish divorce document, is not about preventing sex;… — read more

The suffering of an agunah—a “chained” wife whose husband refuses to grant a get—is not only a personal tragedy but a communal and halachic crisis. While much attention is rightly focused on the recalcitrant husband, far less scrutiny is directed at the network of advisors, advocates, or “mentors” who enable and prolong this refusal. Raising… — read more

There has been significant discussion recently regarding the ongoing divorce and Gett (religious divorce) dispute between Adeena Kohn and Raphael (Raphi) Stein. Because this case involves both international civil law and the sensitive matter of Agunah (chained women) advocacy, it is important to look at the facts from both sides. In August 2020, the family… — read more

The roots of the modern animosity between Israel and the Arab world can be traced directly to the onset of Zionism and the contradictory policies of the British government, led at the top by Prime Minister David Lloyd George. Under his leadership, the British Empire engaged in a strategy of political expediency that fundamentally destabilized… — read more

I support singing Hatikvah after the Ark is closed or the Torah is returned. You can be a patriotic American citizen and sing it. It speaks to the 2,000-year-old “Jewish soul” longing for Zion. Singing it is an affirmation of survival and heritage rather than a political statement of allegiance to a foreign country. — read more

Iran just launched missiles at the United States. While the news will report that Russia is aiding Iran, what they won’t disclose is that there are traitors within the U.S. helping Russia. How do we stop this from escalating into World War III? This situation provides further justification for surveillance, clampdowns, and martial law—exactly what… — read more

When I was growing up, it was not cool to go around and be openly Jewish. Some people were very identified with it in my area—I went to a very religious school—but in mainstream society, everyone just wanted to fit in. And I was one of those people.Fast-forward many years—I’ll skip a lot of stories—but… — read more