Rabbinical courts have revealed that there is a 3% drop in the number of divorced couples • However, there are other reasons that dramatically affect the data and that should be taken into account
the main rabbinate
Photography:
Oren Ben Hakon
A report analyzing the activities of the rabbinical courts in 2020, the year of the Corona, shows that despite the fact that there is great tension due to the virus, closures and isolations, there is a decrease, even if small, in the number of divorces and family disputes in Israel.
With the outbreak of the plague, commentators and family counselors said they believed the closure and friction within the family would cause a dramatic increase in family crises and increase the number of divorces.
An illustration even appeared in one of the newspapers describing the long line that would line up on the steps of the courts the day after the closure.
However, the report of the activity of the rabbinical courts reveals a decrease in the number of divorcing couples. In 2020, 11,076 couples divorced in the rabbinical courts in Israel, compared with 11,451 divorced in 2019, a decrease of 3 percent in divorces.
In the past year, 3,852 divorce cases have been opened in the courts, compared with 4,158 divorce cases opened in 2019. That is a decrease of 7 percent.
The number of cases opened for approval of divorce agreements by consent also shows a decrease - 5,660 in 2020, compared to 5,701 in 2019, a decrease of one percent.
The number of cases opened in a joint divorce application is also declining.
It should be noted that the decrease can be explained by the fact that in no small part of the last year the activity was adjusted to the corona time, ie in an activity that does not resemble a standard year.
The courts stated that the activity of the system was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the "purple mark", and in part of the period even operated under the guidelines set out in emergency regulations decided by the government.
"It can be noted with satisfaction that in total the rabbinical courts operated in the corona year every day except for three working days."
Another reason for the decline in the number of divorces is the fact that many people avoided coming to government institutions during the closures, even when this was possible.
That is, even when the courts were open, it can be assumed that there were those who gave up on arrival due to fear of infection or for reasons of inconvenience to get to the place during such a period.
In addition, the fact that there is a decrease in the data is a bit misleading, as this does not include the potential for divorce on the day after the vaccination.
Many couples who separated during the corona gave up the technical proceedings of divorce because of unavailability of lawyers or difficulties in getting to the courts.
Others, it may be appreciated, gave up the pleasure of dealing with children alone during the corona and therefore postponed the decision to separate until after the plague.
