Spacious new premises for the Beis Din headed by HaRav Nissim
Karelitz were dedicated at an inspiring and impressive
gathering that was attended by gedolei Yisroel. Scores
of HaRav Karleitz's talmidim, who serve as rabbonim
and dayonim in Torah communities all over Eretz
Yisroel were also present, as were the members of the Beis
Din.
When it was established almost forty years ago in HaRav
Karelitz's home, this was the first beis din in Bnei
Brak. With its expansion over years, the beis din
underwent a series of moves and the continuing rise in the
numbers of respondents approaching it rendered its previous
premises too small. Currently, approximately thirty
dayonim, who hear cases in ten different groupings,
belong to the beis din. Last week, it moved to its own
permanent premises on Bnei Brak's Rechov HaRav Shach.
Before the gathering began, HaRav Shmuel Halevi Wosner, av
beis din of Zichron Meir, arrived to affix the mezuzoh
at the entrance to the beis din. He was welcomed
by HaRav Karelitz and other distinguished dayonim. In
his remarks during the leChaim, HaRav Wosner noted
that the requirement to beautify mitzvos also applies to the
mitzvah of establishing botei din and observed that
for a city of Bnei Brak's size, this means having a beis
din of twenty three members (sanhedrin ketanoh).
HaRav Wosner continued by saying that, "besides knowledge of
different areas of Torah law, Heavenly assistance is also
required -- [the ruling] will almost never be literal Torah
law but will be, to use the phrase of the responsa
literature, `approximating Torah law.' The members of the
Beis Din must perform their task without remuneration, except
for secretarial and other similar expenses. This is the
problem in other countries: `Just as I [have taught you] for
free, you should also [teach others] for free' (Nedarim
37). "
HaRav Wosner concluded with a blessing that "peace and
brotherhood should reside in the new building and that
Heaven's Name be sanctified through you."
Delivering the main address, HaRav Nissim Karelitz first
offered praise and thanks to Hakodosh Boruch Hu for
bringing the Beis Din this far, "since it started [operating]
as the first beis din in the city, and went through
various difficulties, [now] He has merited us with arriving
at this day."
HaRav Karelitz discussed Rabbenu Yonah's comments on the
mishnah's words, "Be deliberate in [rendering]
judgment" (Ovos 1:1), asking why deliberation is
specifically mentioned with regard to judgment? Surely care
and deliberation are called for when rendering any halachic
ruling.
Rabbenu Yonah answers that "judgments in particular are
fundamental in attaining knowledge of Hashem, as the
posuk says, `comprehending and knowing Me, for I am
Hashem, practicing kindness, judgment and justice in the
world' (Yirmiyohu 9:23)" We recognize Hashem through
His practice of judgment; we see that it comes from Him.
Hashem wants the world to be sustained, which it is through
judgment, truth and peace (ibid. 1:18) -- to further
these is to become a partner with Hakodosh Boruch Hu
in creation.
"When dayonim are to rule on a particular case,
besides arriving at a correct clarification of the law, they
are also clarifying something else important that was
hitherto unknown -- who Hakodosh Boruch Hu wants to
own the disputed article. He gives each individual their
portion and the dayonim are given the task of carrying
out what Hakodosh Boruch Hu wants done. May
Hakodosh Boruch Hu help everyone, so that we can
continue without stumbling, firmly establishing law."
The next speaker was HaRav Yaakov Edelstein, rov of Ramat
Hasharon and of Bnei Brak's Neot Yosef neighborhood. HaRav
Edelstein spoke about the importance of an edifice for Hashem
being built up through the building of the individual's
character and yiras Shomayim, "as though a sword was
resting between his thighs." He noted that, "this is what we
see in the gaon Av Beis Din . . . his great yiras
shomayim, his untainted mind and purity of thought -- may
he continue leading with kindness and justice."
A member of the beis din, HaRav Pinchos Schreiber,
then spoke about the three things upon which the world
stands, judgment, truth and peace. He added that, "This was
the first beis din to be founded in Bnei Brak and the
sole desire of the gaon Av Beis Din is to uphold
justice according to judgment, truth and peace. May it be
Hashem's will that he long continues presiding over his
realm."
Another of the dayonim on the beis din, Rav
Sariel Rosenberg, rov of the Ramat David neighborhood, then
spoke. He mentioned the importance of a beis din's
being prominently situated and of its having elders among its
members.
HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz then gave the Av Beis Din and
the dayonim his blessings that they should uphold the
Torah's laws in good health and with success. He remarked
that the occasion represented the Torah honor of the Beis
Din, which upholds Torah's law both in communal and
interpersonal affairs.
HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman then gave his blessing,
mentioning that Chazal term a beis din "your gates,"
denoting that it is considered to be a city's gates. Just as
there one cannot gain entry unless there is a gate, a city
cannot run without a beis din that supervises all its
affairs. "May Hashem help the Beis Din continue supervising
all the city's affairs, so that there should be nothing
improper."
