The new Justice Minister, Yossi Beilin, spoke pointedly
against the Jewish laws of marriage as they are implemented
in the laws of the State of Israel, while professing his goal
of changing this.
Beilin made these remarks at a changeover ceremony in the
Justice Ministry. Although it is the custom at such
ceremonies for outgoing and incoming officials to merely
exchange good wishes, Beilin deviated from the norm and made
a series of public remarks. He said that he intends to use
the office as a springboard to implement his beliefs.
Minister Beilin said that, "the fact that our marriage laws
are forced upon us by halocho is very serious, in my
opinion. It is hard for me to live with this. I can neither
accept nor reconcile myself with this situation." Beilin
continued with harsh comments about the laws of chalitza,
yibum and other Jewish laws of marriage, adding that he
is aware of the fact that it will not be easy to effect
changes in these areas.
He concluded by saying that he will not resign himself to the
fact that he must continue with the situation as it is
today.
In reaction to Beilin's disturbing remarks, MK Rabbi Moshe
Gafni said, "Beilin is not in the opposition; he is the
Justice Minister in the State of Israel. On his first day on
the job he had no right to prove to the entire world that he
is ill-fated. He must realize that on the very day the system
makes even the slightest attempt to undermine the
infrastructure of our existence as a Jewish nation in the
land of Israel, he will no longer be the Justice Minister,
and there will be no government."
Rav Gafni then added: "UTJ did not refuse cabinet positions
in order to enable the Justice Ministry to undermine all that
is sacred and dear to us. We did it in order to safeguard our
hallowed values. Whoever thinks that UTJ did not take
positions because it is weak will shortly see that this move
stems from extraordinary strength and resolve, which we hope
we will not have to prove."
