Shalom, I'm Enoch. BOTTOM LINE: While civil same-sex marriage performed abroad is recognized for registration purposes in Israel, religious marriage ceremonies within Israel are exclusively performed according to the normative halakhic understanding of one man and one woman, as there is no provision for same-sex marriage within traditional Jewish law.

In Israel, the concept of marriage and divorce falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the recognized religious courts. For Jewish citizens, this means the Rabbinical Courts. These courts operate according to normative halakha, Jewish law, which defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. The Torah, foundational to halakha, presents marriage as an institution established between male and female (Genesis 2:24) and prohibits male homosexual relations (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). Consequently, same-sex marriages cannot be performed by religious authorities within Israel. This framework applies to all recognized religious communities in Israel, including Muslim, Druze, and Christian courts, which also adhere to their respective traditional definitions of marriage.

Despite the lack of legal provision for same-sex marriage within Israel's religious court system, the state of Israel does recognize same-sex marriages that have been legally performed abroad. This recognition is primarily for civil registration purposes, allowing couples married elsewhere to be registered as married in Israel and to enjoy many of the rights and benefits afforded to heterosexual married couples, such as tax benefits, social security, and inheritance rights. This legal recognition does not, however, alter the religious definition of marriage within Israel's borders. The Supreme Court of Israel ruled in 2006 that the Ministry of Interior must register same-sex couples married abroad, reflecting a civil recognition distinct from religious practice within the country. This distinction creates a complex legal landscape where civil rights are extended, but religious institutions maintain their traditional definitions.

CITATIONS

1. Talmud Bavli Yevamot 81a, segment 4 (general reference — not among this answer's sources)
2. Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 9b, segment 7 (general reference — not among this answer's sources)
3. Talmud Bavli Yevamot 54b, segment 9 (general reference — not among this answer's sources)
4. Mishnah Yevamot 8:6 (general reference — not among this answer's sources)
5. Genesis 2:24 (Scripture — verified in library)
6. Leviticus 18:22 (Scripture — verified in library)
7. Leviticus 20:13 (Scripture — verified in library)

COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS

• Some believe that because Israel recognizes foreign same-sex marriages, it has legalized same-sex marriage domestically. → This is a misunderstanding; Israel's recognition of foreign civil marriages for registration purposes does not equate to the legalization or performance of same-sex marriage ceremonies by religious authorities within Israel, which remain bound by traditional halakha.
• It is thought that Israel has civil marriage that applies to all citizens, including same-sex couples. → Israel does not have a general civil marriage option for any couples, regardless of sexual orientation, performed within the country; marriage for all citizens is typically governed by the respective religious courts, with exceptions made only for civil unions performed abroad.

The State of Israel, through its Supreme Court, acknowledges same-sex marriages performed internationally for administrative purposes, granting various civil rights to these couples. However, the performance of marriage ceremonies within Israel itself remains under the purview of recognized religious authorities, who adhere to the traditional halakhic definition of marriage as a union exclusively between a man and a woman. Thus, while there is civil recognition for certain aspects, there is no religious allowance for LGBTQ marriage within Israel's borders according to the foundational texts of Judaism.

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