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Jewish News 24 · Sep 14, 2026

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A public marriage proposal in which a man kneels and presents a ring to his intended bride in front of friends and family could, under certain circumstances, raise a serious halachic issue, according to Rabbi Avraham Deri, the chief rabbi of Beersheba. Rabbi Deri warned that when a proposal is conducted in a manner that meets certain requirements of Jewish law and takes place in the presence of witnesses, there could be a concern that the exchange of the ring constituted a halachic marriage, or kiddushin. The issue could become particularly significant if the couple later decides not to marry. “Marriage proposals conducted in a format in which the prospective groom proposes with a ring in the presence of friends and relatives, if the groom later decides to withdraw the proposal, could lead to a situation in which the couple would require a religious divorce,” Rabbi Deri said.

A public marriage proposal in which a man kneels and presents a ring to his intended bride in front of friends and family could, under certain circumstances, raise a serious halachic issue, according to Rabbi Avraham Deri, the chief rabbi of Beersheba. Rabbi Deri warned that when a proposal is conducted in a manner that meets certain requirements of Jewish law and takes place in the presence of witnesses, there could be a concern that the exchange of the ring constituted a halachic marriage, or kiddushin. The issue could become particularly significant if the couple later decides not to marry. “Marriage proposals conducted in a format in which the prospective groom proposes with a ring in the presence of friends and relatives, if the groom later decides to withdraw the proposal, could lead to a situation in which the couple would require a religious divorce,” Rabbi Deri said.

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