- Halacha
- General Questions
1859
Question
Can a Ger serve on a Bais Din?
Answer
Shalom,
There are many different opinions regarding your question, all of them cited by R. Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer vol. 19, ch. 47). Many (like the Aruch HaShulchan) say that it’s okay if his father was Jewish, which, incidentally is very often the case among (most?) converts today (Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 7, 1). The Rashbatz brings that Shmaya and Avtalyon, the heads of the Sanhedrin were converts to Judaism, and accordingly, it would be allowed. On the other hand, the Rambam says that it is prohibited. If so, some explain that if they are the greatest scholars available at the time in a certain place, than it is allowed. Many (e.g. the Knesset HaGedola, Aruch HaShulchan, etc.) say that if the parties involved accept him as a dayan (which is usually the case), than there’s no problem, but the Nodah B’Yehuda, disagrees. If you are asking for a particular ger who wants very much to be a dayan, you can tell him that if he invests sufficient time and effort into his learning, there are more than enough places and situations where he can serve as a dayan on a Beit Din!
With Love of Israel!
Rav Ari Shvat

Gambling and Casinos
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 9, 5774

Wasting seed, Noahide vs Jew
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Elul 20, 5784

Can Love be Avodah Zarah (Idolatry)?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 27, 5772

nails
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Sivan 12, 5781

’Bein Ha’arbayim’
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 12 Av 5764

Adopt Jewish or non-Jewish children, yichud & hugging
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 30, 5777

Omer Days I can shave/cut hair
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 2, 5774

Status of Pareve Food cooked in a meat pot
Rabbi David Sperling | Tevet 3, 5775

Is the Shulchan Hatahor (Komarno) acceptable for halacha?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 25, 5785

Separate beds while niddah
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | Nisan 13, 5785

Blessing for non jew
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Nisan 23, 5785
