Sharia Law in Jersey?

Mendel Epstein, a Jewish rabbi, is on trial in New Jersey, accused of conspiracy to kidnap.



Jewish religious law states that a marriage can only be annulled with the permission of the husband, no matter what the circumstances or justification for the divorce. Women who leave their husbands without obtaining this permission, even as a result of severe abuse, are ostracized by the orthodox community.



Enter Rabbi Epstein, who ran a group specializing in securing divorce permission from obstinate and stubborn husbands - by means of kidnap and physical torture.

Quote:

The defense is expected to tell the jury about the oldest interpretation of Jewish law that broadly outlines torture as a legitimate vehicle for convincing recalcitrant husbands to grant their wives religious divorces. Defense lawyer Robert Stahl said during his opening statements that "the process is a legitimate divorce. It's not a criminal conspiracy." He told the jury that ancient Jewish texts endorse the use of coercion and physical torture in an effort to convince men to grant their wives divorces.

Yes, I'm aware that "Sharia" specifically refers to Islamic religious law; but the principle is the same - this rabbi is arguing that ancient religious tradition gives him the right to engage in activities such as kidnap and torture which are illegal in the United States.

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/187zqh7