Between social and legal legitimations: Weddings outside the rabbinate in Israel

דת ומדינה הלכה זהות יהודית-ישראלית חברה ישראלית חילונים חתונה טקסים מסורתיים משפחה

The study investigates the growing phenomenon of Israeli Jewish couples choosing to marry in private ceremonies, bypassing the official Chief Rabbinate, even though these marriages are not formally recognized by the state. Through interviews with forty couples, the researchers found that for these individuals, social legitimacy is far more important than legal recognition. They achieve this social validation by incorporating traditional elements into their alternative ceremonies. The article highlights a complex dynamic where couples challenge the religious establishment yet paradoxically rely on traditional symbols to validate their union, while deriving their legal rights from their status as cohabitating partners (common-law marriage).