Joseph, the Rebbeim are not going against the Shulchan Aruch. They cannot do such a thing. What the Rebbeim can do, and what they are doing, is they’re alleviating the suffering amongst the eshet chayil (eishes chayil). The days of needing witnesses to prove a claim for spousal abuse are no longer valid. A husband can act one way in shul and in public and can turn around and be a total monster in the privacy of his home when no one is looking. As long as the woman is credible, her word alone is sufficient. Also, the man is not actually being punished for any allegations so there’s no need for witnesses. No one is being stoned to death. All the husband is required to do is provide a Get. And yes, this is all Orthodox. The point I’m making is today the evidence is halachically required as it’s always been required. That hasn’t changed. The ability to address the evidence requirement has merely been updatd to no longer require third-party eye-witness accounts. And this accomodation is needed because so much abuse can occur behind closed doors.
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