Premier Golda Meir today ruled out civil marriage for Israel on grounds that it would split the nation. Her remarks at a press luncheon coincided with “Mamzer Day” proclaimed by an Israeli group demanding civil marriage. The day was so designated to call attention to a brother and sister deemed “mamzerim” (illegitimates) by the rabbinical authorities and denied marriage licenses on those grounds. Several hundred members of the Public Committee for Civil Marriage in Israel demonstrated in front of the Knesset led by Rabbi Voia Ben-Chorin, an Israel-born Reform rabbi who described the demonstration as a “pray-in.”
Mrs. Meir said the application of halacha should be “laced with mercy” and said she was supported in that attitude by “a renowned rabbinical authority.” She did not name the authority, She also said she was opposed to mixed marriages because usually the offspring are not raised as Jews.
GOREN; NO DEVIATION FROM HALACHA
Rabbi Shlomo Goren, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and former Chief Chaplain of Israel’s armed forces, said today that halacha could be applied to
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