Haredim To Allow Some Mentally Challenged To Marry

Mildly retarded previously forbidden to marry by haredi rabbis out of fear they would not correctly follow Jewish law regarding marriage, ritual purity.

As you read this, note that Rabbi Chaim Druckman's daughter could not marry until this ruling, even though her father is a prominent Religious Zionist rabbi. That's because haredim control marriage and divorce – and, as we've recently seen, conversions – in Israel.

In the Diaspora – at least in non-haredi-dominated communities –  the mildly retarded are generally allowed to marry.

Rabbis allow mentally challenged to marry
Four special needs couples get special dispensation to marry after rabbis say their circumstances do not contradict Halacha
David Regev • Ynet

Haredi community steps forward: In a progressive move several special-needs couples have been allowed to marry, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.

The ultra-Orthodox community prohibits the intellectually challenged to marry, for fear that their disability would keep them from properly observing matrimonial mitzvot.

The Halacha differentiates between two kinds of mental defects: The "fool" – who lacks all comprehension, and the "simpleton" – who has basic comprehension abilities and is able to observe the Torah's ordinances.

Over the past 18 months, four special-needs couples, determined by rabbis as "simpletons" have been given a special dispensation to marry. One of the happy brides to be is no other than Shulamit Druckman, the daughter of prominent Religious Zionism Rabbi Haim Druckman. Shulamit suffers from Down's Syndrome.

Her future husband also suffers from the trisomy-21 chromosomal disorder. "I want to be a bride just like everyone else and later, a mother, too," she said.

The couples are being chaperoned by "supervisors" – family members or close friends who ensure they follow the relevant mitzvot of house and home.

"Matrimony had been proven to have a positive effect on people with special needs," said Rabbi Shay Piron of Petah Tikva. "Of course, in haredi society couples cannot live together without matrimony, so we welcome special dispensations." 

 
Nevertheless, the rabbis have advised these couples not to have children.

Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision: "I see great importance in realizing the rights of special needs people, including their right to set up house," he said.

[Hat Tip: Ben Max.]

Comments

[WoolSilkCotton]

Now these genetics can be passed on and become even more firmly entrenched in the Haredi gene pool, especially when two people with the same syndrome marry and have kids.
But not to worry- taxpayers will provide lifetime support for the 12 handicapped kids that this couple will have.

[aparentspeaks.org]

Mr. WookSilk Cotton

i am sure you are an expert in the field but so am I. I am the proud father of a 14 year old autistic son. i daven everyday that he should get maried and live as productive an happy of a life as posible. please know that most mental illnesses are NOT genetic.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Dear aparentspeaks.org,

Many genetic syndromes, such as Downs, have a component that includes mental retardation. Have two such people marry AND reproduce children is profoundly irresponsible to the community. The article does mention "...the rabbis have advised these couples not to have children...", but I wonder if the rabbis will allow birth control for these couples. If so, then I applaud the decision and I wish the couple a hearty Mazel Tov.

However, we have seen orthodox couples with definite serious genetic syndromes reproduce numerous afflicted children, and there was no talk of birth control for such couples.

Mental illness and autism are different matters, with a wide spectrum of circumstances, not always necessarily genetic, and not necessarily spread to future generations.

I join you in praying for a productive and happy life for all children, and particularly those with physical or mental challenges.

Yours sincerely,

WSC

[maven]

Most males with trisomy 21 are sterile, and the birth rate for females is low, and in published reports about half the viable offspring are normal, the other half cytogenetically altered, and there is a high rate of stillborns.

[Successful Messiah]

Shmarya, this is really good news. Now you can get married in Israel if you find a female willing to marry you.

[Dr. Dave]

Gee, rabbi druckman's daughter with downs syndrome is allowed to marry another jew with down's (falling in the non protected category of cheiresh shota v'katan)syndrome and trusted to fulfil taharat hamishpacha.

Meanswhile gerim who are specifically mentioned in the torah as being a protected group, not to be oppressed are being oppressed by having their marriages annuled.

Shows that it's which rabbi you know, not how much torah the rabbi knows.

[maven]

Dr Dave:

Good sentiment, wrong target. Its R. Druckman's bet din that is under attack.

[R]

what is wrong with letting them live together if they couldn't allow them to be married in Israel?

[Ben]

If Haredi allow criminally minded sadistic animals like Rav Sherrrrmannn to marry, why mentally challenged should be excluded?

[docwimz]

There may be a genetic component to Manic depression, schizophrenia, depression,and even some forms of sociopathy and psychopathy.

[Ben]

Ok, but then why Elyashiv was allowed to marry and produce more then 100 grandchildren, while clearly being a maniac judging by the support of Sherrrmannn gang? Furthermore he was allowed to be a posek and gadol of the generation by Haredim.

[WoolSilkCotton]

++there may be a genetic component to...some forms of sociopathy and psychopathy++

That could explain the Rubashkin Crime Family. Maybe they could plead 'genetic deformity that causes them to commit crimes uncontrollably'.