A penny spent?
Jerusalem man ordered by rabbinical court to pay his wife NIS 20,000 as part of divorce settlement finds original way to spite her, tries to pay nearly half the money in coins
A vengeful husband found an original way to snub his wife during their final divorce hearing in the Jerusalem Rabbinical Court: He gave her nearly half of the settlement she was awarded – some NIS 9,000 of NIS 20,000 – in 10 agorot (Israeli cents) coins.
The couple was married in 2007. Several months after the wedding, the woman became ill. The husband then sent her back to her parents' home, claiming he was unable to afford the cost of her medical care.
When the woman recovered and tired to return home, she found that her husband had changed all the locks to their apartment.
She then filed for a divorce, claiming that the only reason her husband married her was so that he could get his hands on the money they received as wedding presents, as well as some other funds she had in her name.
The Jerusalem Rabbinical Court granted the woman her divorce and ordered the husband to pay her NIS 20,000 (approximately $5,800) in restitution.
The court further stipulated that the husband would pay the money, in cash or a cashier's check, at the final divorce hearing.
The husband appeared at the hearing carrying a large suitcase. He presented the woman with NIS 11,000 in cash and an additional NIS 9,000 in coins – which filled the suitcase.
The court found the man in contempt, saying he acted out of spite for the wife and disregard for the court's ruling.
The court then issued the woman's divorce decree, but ruled the husband decree be suspended until he paid the rest of the money, in cash and in bill form. The suitcase was placed in the courthouse's safe.
