Introducing The Jewish Bet Din, Its Types, And Historical Value

By Kimberly Murray


Even many centuries ago, a legal system already came into an existence. This administered various rulings of governance and punishments as well. They served as the foundation of every judicial decisions made, even until today.

The greatest house of law was first known to be composed of a group of wise men who would gather together in a holy hill. This was known as the Jewish bet din or sometimes spelled out as beth din. It was known to be the supreme and highest authority in both religious and civil matters not just in the holy capital city but in a nation as a whole.

During the old times, there was a convoluted series of courts. They have three known types. The first two are the Sanhedrin and Sanhedrin Ketana. There is no specific name for the third one but this article provides a description of it.

Sanhedrin is known as the highest form of court. As written earlier, it was composed of a large group of wise men called the sage who had meetings on a holy mount. The seventy one wise men took over the court until a religious leader and prophet wooed them to join him in governing the whole nation. Thus, he became their leader who is authorized to make a final judgment on specific legal matters. As years went by, a nasi was appointed to replace him and acted as a leader of a group.

The smaller Sanhedrin, the Katana, was composed of twenty three judges. They would set a meeting in one of the largest tribal communities or cities so that the amendments, concerns, and other important details in relation to legal aspects would be settled and finalized. Just like the highest form of court, they had the power to impose laws and punishments associated with it, whether monetary, corporal, and capital.

While courts were present in big cities, small villages and tribal communities with exactly or less than one hundred and twenty adult men also had their own judicial courts. Three judges composed them. They cannot be added unless their remaining number is odd. Unlike the larger ones such as Sanhedrin and Sanhedrin Katana, they had no power on imposing death and corporal penalties. Only those that are monetary were vested.

Regardless of its varied types, this legal system of judgment is basically focused on the religious living of the people under its sovereign power. Such matter is known as din Torah. This has been practiced in some communities where judgments are being made depending on a hierarchy of authority and jurisdiction as vested upon.

Today, the competent rabbinic scholars took over this house of legal affairs and judgment. They are the reason why this still exists. Under their supervision, they make formal decision and judgment on different issues and concerns that may impact the Jewish populace. Such issues include those that are related, but not limited, to divorce.

Although it has lots of actions that restrict a particular action or event, this is still regarded as one of essential constituents on the regulation of way of life, whether personal, religious, or marital in kind. Resolving disputes are also part of its function. Their viability on a community depends on the factors, whether social, political or even economic.




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