Beit Din

Beit Din – literally ‘house of law’ – refers to a rabbinic court that deals with a wide range of Jewish issues which need resolution. Progressive Judaism’s two Batei Din mainly focus on matters of status change – such as conversion, divorce, adoption or Jewish heritage.

Progressive Judaism has two Batei Din – the Liberal Beit Din and the Reform Beit Din.

Their guidelines – established by the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors and the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors – are based on a mix of traditional teachings and modern insights.

The Beit Din takes the form of three rabbis who sit together and hear a case. They are usually congregational rabbis and they take turns to serve on the Beit Din as part of their duties. They are aided by a Convenor who prepares the information that is presented to them. They try to apply agreed standards, while taking into account personal circumstances.

Candidates bring their case before a central Beit Din to be checked and ratified.

In cases of conversion, candidates will attend services and classes at their local community, but then come in person to the Beit Din (which is based in London). Although it is often seen as an examination, in reality it takes the form of a conversation, discussing the person’s spiritual journey and checking their level of Jewish knowledge and commitment. Once the Beit Din is satisfied, the person is formally awarded Jewish status and considered equal to someone born Jewish. The person will go to a nearby mikveh (ritual bath), where immersion takes place, physically symbolising the transition.

Cases of Jewish heritage – where Jewish ancestry has been discovered and is now being taken up again – are dealt with in the same way.

A couple adopting a child will also come before the Beit Din with their child to ratify the adoption Jewishly.

Cases of religious divorce can be dealt with in person or from afar, with the parties sending in the appropriate documentation.

Whereas the Beit Din of other Jewish Movements may also deal with matters of kashrut, our courts do not do so. However, they can also be used to adjudicate if disputes arise between two individuals – or between synagogues, or between an individual and a synagogue – if the parties wish to have an objective hearing.