pewforum.org Religion News on the Web
July 23, 2011

AP: Orthodox Jewish societies use range of tactics to pressure wayward husbands to grant divorces

by Josh Lederman
The Associated Press

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Yisrael Briskman’s wife in Israel wanted a divorce, and a rabbinical court decided she should be granted one. But Briskman refused and fled to the United States, where the FBI says an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and his wife lured him to their New Jersey home, kidnapped him and said they’d bury him alive in the Pocono Mountains if he didn’t relent.

Briskman said he was kicked repeatedly in the ribs at the home in Lakewood, robbed and shown the dark body bag he’d soon inhabit if he didn’t free his wife from their marital bonds.

Read the complete story(Some news sites require registration)