London Chief Rabbi Leads Rare Halitza Ceremony in Antwerp with Hundreds Attending

A rare and historic halitza ceremony took place on Tuesday in Antwerp, drawing hundreds of local residents and leading rabbis to witness the complex Jewish legal ritual. The event was held at the request of Rabbi Aharon Schiff, the Chief Rabbi of Antwerp, who invited Rabbi Aharon David Donner, the Chief Rabbi of London, to oversee the proceedings. Rabbi Donner, an expert in halachic matters related to agunot, mamzerim, and halitza, traveled specifically to Antwerp to lead the ceremony with great sensitivity and expertise.

The day before the ceremony, the rabbinical court delegation, including Rabbi Donner and Antwerp’s chief rabbis, carefully selected the precise location for the ritual in accordance with strict halachic requirements. On the day of the event, the hall was filled to capacity with senior rabbis and community members. The panel of six leading dayanim (rabbinical judges) included Rabbi Schiff, Rabbi Donner, Rabbi Amram Hanig, and others, with two silent judges and two witnesses responsible for the halachic validity of the act.

The ceremony’s climax was the symbolic act of placing the halitza shoe on the man’s foot, after which the crowd recited the traditional chant "Halutz ha-na'al" three times. A special booklet explaining the ritual was distributed to attendees. Following the ritual, the woman was released from the levirate bond, and the assembly recited a prayer hoping no Jewish women would need to undergo halitza or yibbum in the future.

After the ceremony, Rabbi Donner visited prominent local leaders, including the Peshawar Rebbe and Rabbi Schiff, where they engaged in Torah discussions. The event marked a significant moment for the Antwerp Jewish community, showcasing the collaboration between European rabbinical authorities and the London Beth Din, known for its expertise in sensitive halachic cases.