The Knesset is expected to vote Sunday evening on a draft bill that would expand the jurisdiction of the Israel Rabbinic Court to include civil and financial disputes.
Under the current law, the Rabbinic Court may only judge in cases of marriage and divorce, and in determining personal status under Jewish law.
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann will present the proposed legislation, which is identical to one which was proposed by his predecessor, Chaim Ramon, and rejected by the cabinet in July 2006.
A ruling by the High Court of Justice in April 2006 that stated the Rabbinic Court could not mediate issues that did not fall within its specific purview, such as financial disagreements, provided the impetus for the first draft of the bill.
Divorce negotiations in Jewish law [Halakhah] often include resolution of financial issues within the framework of determining alimony and child support.
The High Court ruled in 1994, in the Bavli vs. the Rabbinic Court of Appeals case, that the division of property in divorce negotiations must be determined in accordance with state law, rather than Halakhah.
The proposed legislation would change that, giving the Rabbinic judiciary the authority to use Torah law to rule on all aspects of divorce as well as civil matters that are brought before its bench.
The bill faces opposition from groups such as the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and the Reform Movement’s Israel Religious Action Center. They maintain that the proposal violates the status-quo agreement. Women’s groups are also opposing the measure out of concern that women who want a Jewish divorce will face financial extortion.