Permitting Second Marriage Without Heter Meah Rabbonim for Husband of Missing Wife

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Rabbi Tuviah Katz

Description

A husband whose wife disappeared after two years of marriage, leaving no trace after five years of searching, sought permission to remarry without the costly heter meah rabbonim. The Chasam Sofer ruled leniently, permitting remarriage based on a combination of factors including multiple doubts regarding the cherem of Rabbeinu Gershom, the wife's alleged physical incapacity, and the husband's unfulfilled mitzvah of piryah v'rivyah, subject to conditions including depositing the kesubah, issuing a zikui get, and taking an oath regarding the wife's possible insanity.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer EH II §99

View original source

Explore the full interactive rabbinic map →