Rabbinical Courts: Divorce rate in Israel up 4.7% in past year

By MATTHEW WAGNER
For the first time in the nation's history divorces have surpassed a four-digit number. In 2008 a total of 10,225 Jewish couples divorced, a rise of 4.7 percent compared to 2007. Since 2003 the number of divorces has gradually risen from 9,368. In large cities the divorce rate rose more than the national average. In Jerusalem there was a 9.7% rise in divorces while in Tel Aviv there was a 7.1% rise and in Haifa the rise was 13%. One of the highest rises was in Modi'in - 24%. The data were released Sunday by the Rabbinical Court Administration. According to Jewish law both husband and wife must give consent to divorce. However, the law is more stringent regarding the wife, who is cannot remarry under any circumstances until her husband gives a 'get' [divorce writ].