(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The Jewish religious law prohibiting a “Cohen” (a descendant of the ancient Jewish priest class) to marry a divorcee was recognized by the British court as a reason for dissolving a marriage.
The decision was handed down by Lord Merrivale in the case of Rabbi Hirsch Neuman yesterday. Rabbi Neuman, who is a “Cohen” was married last winter to Sarah Greenberg at the London Registry Office. Before the ceremony in the synagogue, Rabbi Neuman learned that his bride had been divorced thirty years ago. He therefore applied for nullification of the legal marriage ceremony. Rabbi Neuman who is a teacher at the orthodox Yeshiva, Eitz Chaim, was permitted to wear his hat in court and give his evidence in Yiddish.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.