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The Unseen Authority: 5 Critical Facts About The Crown Heights Beis Din (Badatz) Shaping Lubavitch Life Today

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The Beis Din Tzedek of Crown Heights (Badatz) remains the central, supreme halachic (Jewish legal) authority for the global Lubavitch-Chabad community, with its rulings directly impacting everything from local commerce to the most intimate aspects of religious life. As of December 24, 2025, the court continues to issue critical guidance and maintain essential community services, navigating complex modern issues while upholding centuries-old traditions.

This permanent rabbinical court, often simply called the "Badatz," serves as the ultimate arbiter for the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York—the spiritual and administrative center of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Its functions extend far beyond typical dispute resolution, encompassing kashrus (kosher certification), marriage and divorce, and public policy, making its recent activities and structure a matter of intense focus for Chabad followers worldwide.

The Current Dayanim: Profiles of the Rabbinical Court Leaders

The Beis Din Tzedek of Crown Heights is typically comprised of three senior Rabbis, known as *Dayanim* (Judges), who are responsible for interpreting and applying *Halacha* (Jewish Law) to the community’s daily life. While all three hold official positions, the most visible and active members in recent public rulings and community guides are Horav Osdoba and Horav Braun.

  • Horav Aharon Yaakov Schwei: Elected as one of the community’s *Rabbonim* (Rabbis) in 2002, Horav Schwei is a senior member of the Beis Din. His role includes overseeing various aspects of the court's operations and lending his expertise to complex legal matters.
  • Horav Avrohom Osdoba: A longstanding and highly respected member, Horav Osdoba is consistently cited as one of the key signatories on major public letters and halachic declarations issued by the Badatz. He is particularly involved in the oversight of the community’s kashrus system, CHK (Crown Heights Kosher).
  • Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun: Often referred to as the *Mara D'asra* (local halachic authority) in the context of recent community guides and rulings, Horav Braun is an extremely active member. He frequently releases detailed halachic guides for Jewish holidays and is a co-signer on the court's most significant public statements.

These *Dayanim* serve not only as judges for civil and religious disputes but also as the primary source of authoritative *Halacha* for the entire Crown Heights community and beyond.

Recent Rulings and Controversies Shaping the Community

The Beis Din Tzedek is not a static institution; it is constantly engaged in applying ancient law to contemporary issues. In the last few years, several high-profile rulings and activities have solidified its role as the ultimate arbiter of communal *Halacha*.

The Definitive Stance on the "Brooklyn Eruv"

One of the most significant and widely reported rulings in recent memory involves the status of the "Brooklyn Eruv." An *Eruv* is a symbolic boundary that allows observant Jews to carry objects in public on the Sabbath. Despite attempts by some groups to establish a functional *Eruv* in the area, the Crown Heights Beis Din, under the leadership of Horav Osdoba and Horav Braun, has repeatedly and definitively confirmed the invalidity of the so-called "Crown Heights Eiruv."

This ruling is a clear exercise of the court’s authority, instructing the community not to rely on the boundary for carrying on Shabbat. The Badatz has specifically addressed "misleading advertisements" related to the *Eruv*, emphasizing that its non-kosher status remains official and binding for the community.

Upholding Standards in Religious Scribes (STaM)

In a move to ensure the highest standards of religious practice, the Beis Din recently appointed a dedicated expert in *Safrus* (the art of writing Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzot), Rabbi Menachem Kahn. This appointment means that residents now have an official, certified resource to bring their sacred items for inspection and repair directly under the auspices of the Beis Din. This initiative highlights the court's commitment to the meticulous observance of *Mitzvot* (commandments).

Beyond the Courtroom: Key Functions and Services of the Badatz

While the image of a rabbinical court often conjures up scenes of legal disputes, the Beis Din Tzedek of Crown Heights is fundamentally a service-oriented body, providing the infrastructure for a fully observant Jewish life. Its functions are diverse, touching virtually every aspect of a resident’s existence.

Crown Heights Kosher (CHK) Certification

The *Badatz* maintains and operates its own comprehensive kashrus certification agency known as Crown Heights Kosher (CHK). This is one of the most visible and impactful services, ensuring that local food establishments, products, and even the annual wheat harvest for *Matzah* meet the community’s stringent standards of kosher law (*Halacha*). Horav Osdoba and Horav Braun are deeply involved in overseeing the CHK system, guaranteeing its reliability and adherence to strict *Lubavitch* traditions.

Dispute Mediation and Arbitration

The core function of any *Beis Din* is to serve as a court of law, resolving civil and monetary disputes between members of the community. The Crown Heights court has actively worked to streamline this process, even launching a formal Dispute Mediation Program. This initiative trains volunteers to help resolve disagreements outside of formal litigation, promoting peace and reconciliation within the neighborhood, in line with Jewish legal principles.

Halachic Guidance and Community Resources

The *Dayanim* regularly issue detailed guides and directives to help the community navigate complex situations. These include:

  • Holiday Guides: Comprehensive "Day-To-Day" guides for major holidays like Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot) and Pesach (Passover), detailing specific local customs and halachic requirements.
  • Taharas Hamishpacha Hotline: The Beis Din maintains a confidential hotline dedicated to answering sensitive questions related to the laws of family purity (*Taharas Hamishpacha*), providing immediate halachic counsel.
  • Affiliation with AskTheRav: The court is affiliated with the online resource AskTheRav, extending its halachic reach to a wider audience seeking authoritative answers on Jewish law.

The Enduring Significance of Rabbinical Authority in Crown Heights

The Beis Din Tzedek of Crown Heights is more than just a local court; it is a symbol of the *Lubavitch* commitment to living strictly according to *Halacha*. Its continuous activity, from issuing guides for the holidays to making definitive rulings on matters like the *Eruv*, ensures that the spiritual center of the Chabad movement remains anchored in traditional Jewish law.

The structure, headed by *Dayanim* like Horav Osdoba, Horav Braun, and Horav Schwei, provides a clear chain of rabbinical authority that the local Vaad Hakohol (Community Council) and residents rely on for guidance. In an increasingly complex modern world, the Badatz's role in maintaining communal standards in *Kashrus*, *Nisuin* (marriage), and *Gittin* (divorce) is indispensable, making it one of the most influential, albeit often unseen, institutions in contemporary Jewish life.

beis din crown heights
beis din crown heights

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