When an individual converts to Judaism from another religion, it can often be time consuming. For, there are a number of steps an individual must go through when doing so. After which, the conversion must be approved after having gone through a review by a Jewish Bet Din.
Bet dins are a court of law in the Jewish tradition which have the legal powers required to oversee religious matters. Whereas, Din Torah is a matter of litigation in local communities and Israel in which a Diaspora provides judgments based on various levels of authority.
Original courts were inspired by Jethro and Moses, the first men to be provided with such powers, then later affirmed by God whom gave a direct command to the Jews to establish officers and judges inside community gates. Whereas, the Torah also recommends that a ruler delegate powers of judgment to lower level courts.
In ancient times, there were three types of courts. These included a grand central court with 71 members and two smaller courts of 23 members each with one having hierarchy over the other. While all towns with a population of 120 to 230 residents, had to have a court of 23 under the jurisdiction of the tribal court.
The Talmud and Mishnah distinguish the area in which a case is tried based on the severity of the infractions. Whether involving money matters, criminal acts or ritual offenses, a Bet din generally rules over all cases. As with other courts, those involving criminal acts often face tougher fines and penalties than lesser offenses.
Later, all modern Bet dins and those which existed in Medieval times were for all practical purposes arbitrators made up of a group of laymen. In most cases, these individuals had more power than others as experienced rabbis often made up the court. Whereas, individuals whom attend a training program or institute, often in Israel can now attain qualifications which allow the individual to become a religious judge, a position which holds the highest court appointed authority in the Jewish religion.
While Orthodox Bet dins require a minimum of 3 men with knowledge of Jewish law, it is often impossible to find qualified individuals. As a result, the law now provides that one Orthodox male can establish a Bet din. While this is the case, each community is required to establish a Bet din so communities can now choose how many judges to oversee different cases.
Individuals selected to make up a Bet din need to be capable of instructing others with regards to Jewish law pertaining to the case at hand. While this is the case, rabbis do not necessarily have to have expertise in all areas of law, just that pertaining to an ongoing case or cases. For example, when reviewing and approving a conversion, the rabbi would only need to understand the laws necessary to complete the process.
Bet dins are a court of law in the Jewish tradition which have the legal powers required to oversee religious matters. Whereas, Din Torah is a matter of litigation in local communities and Israel in which a Diaspora provides judgments based on various levels of authority.
Original courts were inspired by Jethro and Moses, the first men to be provided with such powers, then later affirmed by God whom gave a direct command to the Jews to establish officers and judges inside community gates. Whereas, the Torah also recommends that a ruler delegate powers of judgment to lower level courts.
In ancient times, there were three types of courts. These included a grand central court with 71 members and two smaller courts of 23 members each with one having hierarchy over the other. While all towns with a population of 120 to 230 residents, had to have a court of 23 under the jurisdiction of the tribal court.
The Talmud and Mishnah distinguish the area in which a case is tried based on the severity of the infractions. Whether involving money matters, criminal acts or ritual offenses, a Bet din generally rules over all cases. As with other courts, those involving criminal acts often face tougher fines and penalties than lesser offenses.
Later, all modern Bet dins and those which existed in Medieval times were for all practical purposes arbitrators made up of a group of laymen. In most cases, these individuals had more power than others as experienced rabbis often made up the court. Whereas, individuals whom attend a training program or institute, often in Israel can now attain qualifications which allow the individual to become a religious judge, a position which holds the highest court appointed authority in the Jewish religion.
While Orthodox Bet dins require a minimum of 3 men with knowledge of Jewish law, it is often impossible to find qualified individuals. As a result, the law now provides that one Orthodox male can establish a Bet din. While this is the case, each community is required to establish a Bet din so communities can now choose how many judges to oversee different cases.
Individuals selected to make up a Bet din need to be capable of instructing others with regards to Jewish law pertaining to the case at hand. While this is the case, rabbis do not necessarily have to have expertise in all areas of law, just that pertaining to an ongoing case or cases. For example, when reviewing and approving a conversion, the rabbi would only need to understand the laws necessary to complete the process.
About the Author:
Jewish bet din rabbi services are available to be contacted. For all your wedding needs click on the link here http://www.rabbistevenwestman.com/products.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment