Courses in Hora’a and Dayanut

The purpose of our course for hora’a and dayanut is to train young Torah students in the proper approach toward the study of practical halakha. Those signed up for these courses are divided into several groups, as follows:

Hora’ah studies

The rabbis assigned to this course study sections of the Shulhan Arukh (Orah Hayim and Yore De’a), especially those pertaining to the halakhot of Shabbat, the Yamim Tovim, kashruth, and family purity, among others. They begin with the primary sources found in Talmud Bavli with the classic commentaries, continue with the Tur, the Bet Yosef, and their major commentaries, followed by the Shulhan Arukh and the works of the leading rabbis of recent generations. Our students emphasize the practical application of the halakha in the light of modern lifestyle and technology. After several years of study, the scholars are certified, authorizing them to rule on halakhic questions and to serve as rabbis of synagogues and communities.

Dayanim – Rabbinical Judges

The scholars participating in this course are all graduates of the course for hora’ah. These advanced students concentrate on the Hoshen Mishpat and Even Ha’ezer sections of the Shulhan Arukh. Again, they study the pertinent sections in the Talmud Bavli with classic commentaries, continue with the Tur and Bet Yosef, and fine tune their conclusions with the Shulhan Arukh and the works of the Torah authorities in the last few centuries. An emphasis is placed on applying the halakha to our modern lifestyle and technological advances. All those participating in these courses teach Torah classes for the public’s benefit, and they author various books on halakhic subjects. Those scholars who pass all the necessary tests are awarded official certificates testifying that they are authorized to serve as rabbis in Israeli communities or as judges in rabbinical courts.

Along with the studies earmarked for those who wish to accreditted as judges, the rabbis are assigned actual cases brought before the Tzedek Umesharim rabbinical court, which consists of prominent, veteran rabbinical judges, and they are asked to offer their opinions based on their understanding of the halakha. This court, by the way, is an indivisible part of Shuvi Nafshi’s activities.

We have invested great efforts and resources in developing these men to serve as rabbinical leaders for Jewish communities. This is because Shuvi Nafshi’s vision is focused on our nation’s future, in Eretz Yisrael and throughout the world.