The Jewish "Agunah" Problem

[ShermanN]

In Jewish communities of faith, an "agunah" is a woman who is separated from her husband but who has not received a Jewish (religious) bill of divorce, even though she might have received a civil divorce. Such women cannot marry within the Jewish community of faith. If they do marry though they have not received a religious bill of divorce, they are not considered married but living together in an illegitimate marriage; and any children born to that union are considered bastards and never fully accepted by the Jewish community of faith. It's a very sad problem that apparently has been around since even before Moses gave the bill of divorce. In fact, the purpose of the Mosaic bill of divorce was to free an expelled wife to remarry and remain married.

"Agunah" actually means "chained" or "bound". Anyhow, what I'm researching is the prevelance of this problem in the 1st Century. Any information you might have on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Sherman