Gett Page #3

I can't force him

to grant her a divorce.

And I can't force her to return,

I'm sorry to say.

Therefore, I summoned witnesses.

This isn't a murder trial,

this woman wants a divorce.

Who's to say what happens

behind closed doors,

you're trying to read

their thoughts.

Don't doubt our abilities,

granted by both Heaven and Earth.

This woman's truth is hers alone.

My client made up her mind

30 years ago.

So why didn't she ask

for a divorce 30 years ago?

She was very young

and she lacked the means,

both physical and emotional.

The court should not

dishonor this woman.

Let Rabbi Solomon decide what to do.

We've waited for his ruling

for years now

but he's taking his time.

- Is His Honor afraid to rule?

- One more insult and we're done.

Rabbi Solomon has

the ability to rule

on the most complex cases.

I have a question.

Are you married?

Do you have a family?

No, Your Honor.

The truth comes out.

Why not?

Do you have a defect?

I'm not on trial, Your Honor.

Everyone is on trial.

Every man's life is on trial.

Yours is worth the same

as that of your client, the defendant,

and every witness who appears here.

True.

We are all witnesses,

all of us, Your Honor.

Without witnesses, we won't continue.

Haim, please bring the witness in.

So?

Let's go.

Your name?

Emil Amzaleg,

son of Shmuel and Rachel,

Viviane Amsalem's eldest brother.

Do you know the Amsalem couple well?

Of course, Your Honor.

She's my sister.

I know her well.

She's a good wife

and a wonderful mother.

The truth is, Your Honor,

as far as I know, she's done

everything she could

to stay with this man...

Elisha, whom we love and respect.

He's a wise man...

A good man.

But the truth is, Your Honor...

they just don't get along.

We tried to talk to them,

to settle matters between them,

but...

it never worked.

All in all, we like him a lot.

When they married,

we were glad.

What's that look?

Isn't it true?

Don't interrupt the witness.

Believe me, Your Honor,

we always said,

"What do you want?"

Elisha is a good man. Where will

you find another husband like him?

He gives you his salary,

he helps around the house,

he doesn't throw away money,

he doesn't fool around,

he doesn't gamble,

not on cards nor on the lottery,

he doesn't beat you,

"Sister, it's in your hands."

He always agreed

with her decisions.

He comes to our home,

and honors us on holidays,

and treats us to his beautiful voice.

When he sings in synagogue

even the birds stop to listen!

That's it, everyone will tell you,

he's the perfect man.

What are you trying to say?

I think, Your Honor,

that my sister,

as much as I love her,

is hard-headed, stubborn.

We've tried to talk to her,

to no end.

I told him time and time again,

"Elisha, you have a problem."

A woman needs a strong hand.

"A woman needs boundaries."

But he...

It's not his way.

I, personally, have always wished

she'd go back to him.

Didn't I tell you?

Your sister's husband, Elisha,

an honest man, right?

My client also says

he's a good man,

but he isn't a good husband for her.

Carmel, watch your mouth!

He's a good man

and a good husband.

How should I know

if they're compatible?

What does it matter?

Is my wife right for me?

No.

I make her right for me,

and that's that. No nonsense.

- Your Honor, may I?

- Go ahead.

Emil Amzaleg,

is your sister a good wife?

A good wife, a woman of valor.

And is he a good man?

You heard what I said.

Head and shoulders

above the crowd.

In your opinion, having seen

them together for over 20 years,

do you think they've had

a good life together?

We're waiting.

Speak.

No, Your Honor.

And in your opinion,

has your sister suffered in

her marriage to this man?

Answer.

She's suffered a lot.

Good, describe their married life

in a word or two.

We're waiting.

I'm thinking, Your Honor.

That's a tough question.

Answer, Emil.

Bitter as heck.

That's all.

Does the defense

have any questions?

Yes, Your Honor.

Just a few questions, if I may.

Go ahead.

Honorable Emil,

family man that you are,

is my brother good to your sister?

Of course, Rabbi Shimon.

And has he given her

everything he could?

Above and beyond.

And did they build

an exemplary Jewish home?

Yes, Rabbi Shimon.

And did they raise children

to the glory of Israel?

And how!

If you answered positively

to these questions,

why should we separate them?

I never said we should separate them,

God forbid...

Thank you, sir.

You may go, Emil Amzaleg.

Ignorants!

Haim, see the witness out.

Thank you.

Just perfect.

Thank you, Emil.

The witness, Ms. Evelyn, please.

Madam.

I just wanted to say hello.

What's the big deal?

She hasn't yet been permitted to speak.

State your full name.

Sure.

Evelyn Ben Chouchan, daughter of

Massouda and Jacob Ben Chouchan.

For the defense?

The defense?

I'm the sister-in-law of Emil,

who's just spoken.

- On our behalf.

- Let's begin.

Your relation to the plaintiff?

I live with my sister Rachel

and her husband.

For how long?

Eight years, Your Honors.

The plaintiff lives with you?

Yes, in the yard.

- Are you in close contact?

- What do you mean? Of course!

As soon as she gets home,

I'm at her place.

I also take the food she cooks

to her son and to...

her husband.

Every day? To her husband?

Yes, sure. It's not far.

A ten-minute walk.

Not on the Sabbath.

Has the plaintiff lived honorably

since you've lived together?

Can I?

Of course!

I know every step she takes.

When she goes to work,

comes home, where she's been...

I also clean her beauty parlor,

almost every day,

for extra income.

We're very close.

Do you know

if the plaintiff

has seen other men?

She hasn't.

Every day, it's:

Home, work, home, work.

You're always home to see that?

- Where else would I be?

- And you?

Do you go on dates?

Singles' events?

Maybe once or twice.

And the plaintiff never came with you?

No, that's for singles,

Viviane's married.

Do you know of any suitors

she's had during this time?

- No.

- Why did you hesitate?

Your Honor makes me nervous.

Your Honor, my client

has never cheated on her husband.

Cheated? God forbid.

Did I say cheated?

Of course not!

But now that she's available...

No, not available,

but since she doesn't live with him

people think she's available,

so they look at her, how not?

And probably they want her...

It's irrelevant.

Of course, it's irrelevant!

She hasn't even bought a new dress,

let alone cheated...

We're chaste.

That's how it is.

Your Honors, we never claimed that.

My client doesn't have a lover.

Never! I don't have one,

how could she?

Men have always admired my client.

We can summon every man

who ever looked at a married woman.

Ridiculous.

- Your Honor, may I?

- Go ahead, Carmel.

Thank you.

Ms. Ben Chouchan.

Yes, Carmel?

How would you describe Viviane?

She's... an amazing woman.

I'm crazy about her.

And Elisha?

Special.

A special man.

What would you wish for her?

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