ASk the Rabbi Query...

[RabbiO]

Date: 11/24/2024
Incident ID: 6439842
Query about King David:

Question:
I came across a reference that King David decree that in Jewish Marriage contracts that a clause be included that allowed a Jewish widow of Jewish soldiers to remarry again so that she would not become a "chained wife". Is this decree still legal and binding?

Either the reference is wrong or you misunderstood it. There was no clause in the marriage contract. It was a separate conditional get. For centuries it was a nonissue because Jews were not permitted to serve in armed forces. When that changed the tradition was revived.

That, of course, is not the end of the discussion because the concept has to converted into a viable document and the language is the key. 

I presume your question was prompted because the IDF is looking at providing its servicemen with such a document.

Now when it comes to the question of legal and binding are you asking about within a religious context or whether a secular state will recognize the divorce?