Q&A: Equal Division of Child Support Payments
Equal Division of Child Support Payments
Question
With regard to the fact that Rabbi Ariel Edri attacked Justice Solberg (link below) and said that the Torah is not egalitarian, and therefore even a man who earns less than his wife should still have to pay her support, I would be glad to hear the Rabbi's opinion on the matter.
Rabbi Edri – https://www.inn.co.il/news/592160
Answer
Of course I do not agree at all. First, this is not the Torah but Jewish law. Second, since Jewish law is not egalitarian, it is possible and proper to change it in as egalitarian a direction as possible. Certainly in monetary matters there is no problem at all doing so, and especially regarding the division of the economic burden, which is entirely a matter of accepted norms. In practice, there is no need to change Jewish law; the legislature and customary practice have already done so.
But beyond the disagreement about the substance, this kind of ranting—as if he speaks in the name of the Torah, and anyone who says otherwise is not faithful to Jewish law—is just another example of conservative foolishness and lack of understanding.