משנה מסכת גיטין פרק ד משנה ב
בראשונה היה עושה בית דין במקום אחר ומבטלו התקין רבן גמליאל הזקן שלא יהו עושין כן מפני תקון העולם בראשונה היה משנה שמו ושמה שם עירו ושם עירה והתקין רבן גמליאל הזקן שיהא כותב איש פלוני וכל שם שיש לו אשה פלונית וכל שום שיש לה מפני תקון העולם
At first, a husband would bring assemble a court wherever he was and annul the get [document of divorce] (if he changed his mind after sending a get to his wife). Rabban Gamaliel the Elder established (hitkin) that this should not be done, for the sake of tikkun olam. At first, the husband could change his name, or his wife's name, or the name of his town or of his wife's town. (meaning—he could write the get using a nickname for himself, his wife, or their town). Rabban Gamaliel the Elder established that he should write, "The man so-and-so” and any name that he has," "the woman so-and-so” and any name that she has," for the sake of tikkun olam. [Translation by Rabbi Jill Jacobs]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What was wrong with the old system in the first case? What would have prompted Rabban Gamaliel the Elder to establish that this shall not be done? What about the second case?
2. How did Rabban Gamaliel’s two enactments protect the involved parties? Why is this important? How is it an example of tikkun olam?
3. How can this text serve as a model for women’s empowerment? What lessons can we take from it and apply to today’s society?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)