Alleged get-refuser whose mother’s burial delayed denies he changed his mind

A man, whose mother’s burial was delayed in Israel over his alleged refusal to give his wife a religious divorce, described reports he had changed his mind as “fake news.”

Yisrael Meir Kin released a video to the religious news website Arutz Sheva, in which he appears with a tear in his shirt, as traditionally worn during the week of shiva, after a close relative dies.

Kin’s mother’s body arrived in Israel on Monday night. A Tuesday morning burial was scheduled, but did not take place until hours later, reportedly until he agreed to give the religious divorce, or get.

The rabbinical court of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada reportedly asked Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau to withhold the burial until Kin agreed to the get, noting in a letter to the Chief Rabbinate that the man’s mother supported him in his decision to keep his wife a chained woman.

Lau in a statement Tuesday announced that he would comply with the request. He later said that Kin’s family had placed a $20,000 (£16,330) bond to ensure that he would produce the get for his wife in front of a rabbinical court when one was arranged.

But Kin says in the video that neither Lau nor anyone from the chief rabbinate contacted him nor did he or his family place a deposit to insure the get. He also pointed out that he is related to Lau by marriage through his wife.

Lau had an “interest in doing this heinous crime against my mother,” Kin charged.

He also said that he provided a get for his wife at the Beit Din of Shaarey Mishpat, which is headed by Rabbi Tzvi Dov Abraham of Monsey, and which is not recognised by any rabbinical organization in North America nor by the chief rabbinate in Israel.

The chief rabbinate denied Kin’s claims. “We regret that the refuser continues his crooked conduct and is now attacking the Beit Din (rabbinical court),” the Chief Rabbi’s office told Arutz 7.