1. A declaration of death by the state would be sufficient to free an agunah.
2. As soon as the state issued a divorce document, it was to be considered valid even though the husband might refuse to provide the traditional get or express willingness to do so only through extortive conditions.
3. Halitzahshould be removed, abrogated entirely, and in any case, be deemed unnecessary if the obligated brother could not be found or if his wife objected.
Geiger justified this new approach through his developmental view of the Tradition, though he understood very well that a different interpretation of the Tradition would not permit any of these changes.” Here we have a broad and sweeping approach as Geiger pointed to radical transformation of the past as his guideposts; they had often been made without detailed justification or any real roots in the more distant past. They would, nevertheless, eventually be anchored in the past and provided with some ties to the halakhah.
Geiger provided a theoretical basis for the changes that his generation considered necessary and made it clear that they were fully justified. His view of history destroyed the notion of an eternally stable Judaism that allowed for no adaptation or innovation. As Judaism had evolved throughout its history, there was no reason to hesitate now. This was a bold theory and provided an intellectual foundation for the reconstruction of Judaism that was necessary to face the newly emancipated world.
RESPONSA AND THER INNOVATIONS
The need for discussion and agreement on a practical path was clear. Individual adjustments in matters of marriage, divorce,
ev pr: