Q&A: Civil Marriage
Civil Marriage
Question
Hello Rabbi, does the Rabbi think that the institution of civil marriage should be abolished? After all, marriage itself has no meaning other than commitment, and for commitment I don’t need a government clerk.
In addition, I don’t think people’s legal status should be changed just because they decided to live together. (Of course, in Israel the situation is different because there is an interest in preserving the Jewish people, and if there were no civil marriage it’s doubtful that people would get married and have children according to the law of Moses and Israel.)
Answer
I didn’t understand. Which institution? What does it mean to abolish civil marriage? There is currently no civil marriage in Israel. But there are people for whom it is important that their partnership be recognized by society/the state.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t understand what you want. Abolish the institution of marriage in the world? Good luck.
I’m not talking specifically about Israel but in general. In addition, there are marriages that the state sees as legitimate and gives certain benefits to, and others that it does not. But the point is, why does it matter whether the state recognizes your commitment to someone else?
For society, it’s enough just to hold a ceremony.