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

By Kimberly Murray


Many years ago, there was already such thing as laws, judgment, or anything which pertains to the legal system. Different provisions and penalties were regulated by authorized people. Until today, these provisions and the legal system itself have become the ultimate basis of judicial decision making.

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.

Three types of courts were identified. Although the third one has no name, its nature and structure are written in this literature. The two are called Sanhedrin and Sanhedrin Katana.

Sanhedrin, the grand judicial court, comprised of seventy one wise men who would gather together on the hill which was known to be the holy place in the old biblical city. At first, there were only seventy wise men that comprised it until a prophet called their attention and invited them to be with him in leading the entire nation. That made seventy one, thereby bringing back the court to him. In that setting, he was recognized as the wisest man who would make a final decision on legal cases. As many years passed, a nasi replaced the wise prophet and took over his position as the wisest.

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.

Even small tribes or towns have courts. This was evident in areas with a population that is not more one hundred twenty. There were only three judges but you could have additional if the remaining number of them is an odd number. It is way far different from the two because in this kind of setting, a judge cannot force enforcement on death or capital punishment and corporal penalty. Only those that are monetary are allowed.

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.

This is still evident in the holy land because of the rabbi scholars who are taking good care of it. They do not just take a good care for it but also supervise, direct, and take control on every resolution that are being made. Questions on the laws and other issues are also tackled. Divorce is one classical example.

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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