Israel Dayanut Exam study guide
Israel Dayanut Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Dayanut is the rabbinic qualification that authorizes a scholar to sit as a judge (dayan) on a beit din, most consequentially in matters of marriage and divorce, monetary disputes, and personal status. The Israeli Dayanut examination is the assessment route used within Israel's rabbinical framework for candidates who already hold rabbinic ordination and now seek certification to adjudicate. The Israel Dayanut Exam study guide has 9 sections and about 2,010 words.
01Laws of Marriage and Divorce (Ishut)
This domain moves through three stages: kiddushin (betrothal, which creates the marital bond), nissu'in (the chuppah and yichud that permit cohabitation), and gerushin (dissolution by get). A candidate must know the modes of acquisition: kesef (money or a ring of minimum value), shtar (a written document), and bi'ah (intercourse, permitted only in the halachically sanctioned framework).
277 words, about 1 min02Monetary and Civil Law (Dinei Mamonot)
Dinei mamonot covers contracts, torts, property, and partnership. Begin with the principle kim li and the burden of proof: hamotzi me-chavero alav hara'ayah (the claimant must bring proof).
262 words, about 1 min03Evidence and Judicial Procedure (Dinei Re'iyot, Edut, Seder HaDin)
Jewish law requires two valid witnesses (edim) for most matters. Know the disqualifications: karov (relative), isha (woman, in most testimonial contexts), kattan (minor), rasha (wicked person), and pasul l'edut .
226 words, about 1 min04Issur ve-Heter and Kashrut
Kashrut law rests on the categories of issur (forbidden) and heter (permitted). Know the simanei behemah (split hooves and chewing cud) and simanei dagim (fins and scales).
251 words, about 1 min05Shabbat and Festivals
Master the 39 melachot (categories of work), their toladot (derivatives), and the distinction between d'oraita and d'rabbanan prohibitions. Know muktzah , hachanah , and the laws of hotza'ah (carrying) with reshut hayachid , reshut harabim , and karmelit .
206 words, about 1 min06Personal Status and Conversion (Giyur, Mamzerut, Agunah)
Conversion requires kabbalat mitzvot (acceptance of commandments), milah (circumcision for males), and tevilah (immersion). Know the role of the beit din and the validity of conversions performed by different courts.
215 words, about 1 min07Niddah and Family Purity (Hilchot Niddah and Taharat HaMishpacha)
Master the vestot (regular periods), the distinction between niddah , zavah , and shomeret yom b'veto , and the counting of shivah neki'im (seven clean days). Know the requirements of bedikah (examination) and hefsek taharah (cessation of bleeding).
201 words, about 1 min08Oaths, Vows, and Their Annulment
Distinguish shevuat bitui (a statement about the past or future) from shevuat shav (a vain oath). Know the requirement of hashem and the prohibition against swearing falsely.
187 words, under 1 min09Jewish Legal Reasoning and Responsa
This domain tests pilpul (analytical reasoning), precedent , and the application of halachic sources. Know the hierarchy: Torah she-bichtav , Torah she-ba'al peh , Gemara , Rishonim , Acharonim , and responsa .
185 words, under 1 min