2 May

“Inglorious Mamzerim” (Part 1)


Categories: in Bible, biblical history, Contrarian wisdom, Current Events, ethics, Halacha, Israel, Jewish History, Judaism and Feminism

I will comment on this story when I return this coming Monday. The insidious use of secret black lists of “mamzerim” (bastards) violates both Jewish law and especially Jewish ethics. There is much more to be said about this topic. Rivkah Lubitch is one of the shining superstars of the Haredi world. The issue of the mamzer is really a halachic example of the stigmata that used to be given to members of society, who have been branded by society for committing certain “sins,” or breaking taboos.

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‘So long as the rabbinic court keeps a black list of mamzerim and it’s the only institution officially allowed to marry Jews in the State of Israel – we all partners in the crime of hurting persons who have committed no crime.’ Rivkah Lubitch calls to get rid of the rabbinic court’s black list

Published: 04.13.10, 15:19 / Israel Jewish Scene

In a book by Daphne du Maurier there’s a description of a horrible ceremony that took place nearly six hundred years ago in England. It involved a woman who “violated” the dignity of her husband when she had sexual relations with another man after she had already been widowed (Yes yes. You read right. She had sex with a man after the death of her husband!).

From the story it becomes clear that the woman was compelled to undergo the ceremony lest she lose all rights to her husband’s property. In other words: Either she took part in the ceremony and was allowed to continue living in her home, or she was thrown into the street. At the humiliating ceremony, the woman confessed her sins in detail to the priest and blood thirsty crowd. This is the way it worked: The woman was stripped to her waist and her hair was cut. She was then poised on a black sheep that she rode for a not insignificant distance to the laughter of the mob that gathered to witness and be forewarned. The woman rode on the sheep for about a hundred yards from the place of the ceremony. Then she was forced to dismount the sheep and crawl on her knees till she reached the priest. She then confessed her sins to the priest, who, in an act of grace, offered her absolution. Continue Reading