The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-06-24
From the Washington Chronicle
A Jewish Divorce.

A ceremony, which has created no
small degree of anxiety, has been on the
tapis among our Hebrew brethren for sew
eral weeks past, and was on Thursday
consummated by a decree according to
the faith, absolving from the holy estate
of matrimony two of its believers.
For some time past the welded rela-
tons Of man and wife existing between
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Burnstine have not been
of the most pleasant order, and to relieve
the unpleasantness for both mutual sep
aration was agreed upon. To whose dis
credit, or for what alleged cause this sep
aration was found TO be necessary, we are
not prepared to state. Mrs. Burnstine
alleges that she has been lily treated by
her husband, and from this numerous
collisions between the husband of Mrs.
B. and her father and brothers have taken
place. Mr.. B., however, comes in with
a contra statement, and charges his wife
with not having attempted to live with
him In a pleasant manaer, and not rem
dering unto him that degree of affection
and love 10 be expected by husband =
Altogether, affairs are pretty well mixed
up, aud have been food for gossip for some
time past among the Israelites of this city.
1t had been reported that the service di-
vorcing Mr.. and Mrs Burnstine would
take place at the Jewish Synagogue on
Eighth street, about noon on Thursday,
and a considerable number of persons as
sembled there, and were rather chagrined
TO find out that the ceremony would take
place at the private residence of the par
ties, with but few witnesses present.
The ceremony relating to enforcement
is founded upon Holy Writ Deut. XIV,
Is y the parties are separated and free
the husband to marry another at any
time, and the wife to marry after ninety
one days have passed, but not descend
ant of the tribe of Levi.
At one o'clock the rabbis-Philip, of
this city, and Miehier, of New y ork-
with few invited friends, assembled at
the residence of the parties, and the ser
vices began.
The articles of agreement having been
settled upon, were transcribed ON parch-
ment; the tormalities of the separation
being about as follows: Rabbi Philip hay
ing taken his position, with Rabbi Michler
and Mr.. jacobson on either side, the par
ties were brought in, and faced the rabbis.
Certain passages of the Pentateuch were
read, as also the enforcement article on
the parchment. The wife was then called
forward and her face uncovered, and her
hands were placed together, the thumbs
upward and extended Rabbi Philip
asked several questions of the husband, |
which were answered, and placed the
parchment in his hands, and he advanced !
toward her, placing it in her hands, and |
in turn the Rabbi took it. Messrs. Jacob |
son and Mundhelm having attested their |
names as witnesses to file with the records
OF the church, the ceremony here closed,
and shortly after Mrs. B. left the room.
BY the existing civil laws, it is ques-
nonable whether the freedom with which |
Judaism allows its adherents to remarrv
would not be considered an offense. and |
in the event thereof lead to an interesting
legal decision.
In the articles of enforcement Mrs. r.
is well provided for. All the legal pa
pers will shortly be executed, giving her
title to certain property in her own name.