Beth din

A beth din (Hebrew: בית דין, plural: batei din, literally "house of judgment" or "house of law") is a rabbinical court of Jewish law. It functions as a religious court and is empowered to rule on matters of Jewish law. Its authority is derived from Jewish tradition and halakha (Jewish law).

Historically, batei din held significant power, adjudicating a wide range of civil, criminal, and religious disputes. In modern times, particularly in the Diaspora, their role is often limited to matters such as:

• Conversion (Giyur): Determining the validity of conversions to Judaism.
• Divorce (Get): Facilitating and overseeing the process of Jewish divorce, ensuring its validity according to halakha.
• Kashrut: Providing supervision and certification of food products to ensure they meet the requirements of Jewish dietary laws.
• Monetary Disputes (Dinei Mamonot): Resolving financial disagreements between Jewish individuals or businesses, often through arbitration.
• Inheritance Disputes: Adjudicating inheritance matters according to Jewish law.
• Issur v'Heter: Deciding on matters of what is permitted and forbidden according to Jewish law, which can cover a wide range of topics.

A beth din typically consists of three or more rabbis who are knowledgeable in Jewish law. The rabbis serving on a beth din are often referred to as dayanim (judges). The specific requirements for serving as a dayan vary depending on the stringency of the community and the nature of the case, but generally, they require extensive knowledge of Jewish law, piety, and integrity. In some communities, one dayan may specialize in a particular area of Jewish law.

The decisions of a beth din are generally binding on those who voluntarily submit to its jurisdiction. However, in many secular jurisdictions, its rulings are not legally enforceable unless they are ratified by a civil court through arbitration agreements. The specific processes and procedures of a beth din can vary depending on the community and the specific legal tradition it follows (e.g., Ashkenazi, Sephardi).