“You shall not abuse a needy and destitute laborer, whether a
fellow countryman or a stranger in one of the communities in
your land.”(Deut. 24:15) Parashat Ki Teitzei presents laws
regarding individuals, their families, and the neighbors around
them. This continues the themes of social justice and ethical
norms introduced last week in Parashat Shoftim. One of those
laws addresses the reality of divorce. “If a man marries a woman
and lives with her, and she ceases to find favor in his eyes… he
writes her a bill of divorce.” (Deut. 24:1) As with most Jewish
laws, the Torah describes the general principle. The rabbis,
over time, fill in the details by creating rituals and
practices. The bill of divorce is called a “get,” and according
to halacha (Jewish law), it must be initiated by the man. If he
refuses, no Jewish divorce can take place. This continues to
cause great pain for countless women today, who may have a civil
divorce, but cannot remarry (within a Jewish legal framework)
without a get. The Torah’s pa