Mentally challenged Jewish couples to wed

JERUSALEM, June 23 (UPI) -- Four special needs couples will be allowed to marry, rabbis in Israel's Jewish ultra-orthodox community have decided.

The Yedioth Aharonoth reported until now the ultra-orthodox community has barred mentally challenged or couples with special needs from marrying, fearing they will be unable to fulfill their matrimonial obligations in accordance with Jewish law.

The newspaper said ultra-orthodox rabbis distinguish between those who lack all comprehension, and those who have basic comprehension and are able to observe Jewish law, the Ynetnews.com Web site said.

The four couples permitted to marry fall under the latter category, Yedioth Aharonoth said.