Badatz
{{short description|Major Jewish rabbinical court}}
A Badatz ({{langx|he|בד״ץ}} plural {{Transliteration|he|batei din}}) is a major Jewish beth din (rabbinical court). The term is a modern one, and is an acronym for {{Transliteration|he|beit din tzedek}} ("court of Justice").
In Israel, the term Badatz is often used to refer to the Badatz of the Edah HaChareidis; however, it is not the title of this group, and other batei din use the title as well. It is often used in the context of hechsherim (kashrut certification).
In most Jewish communities, there has been a beit din, which was often headed by the rabbi of the city, hence the nickname "Rabbad" - combining "Rabbi" and "Av Beit Din." In various ultra-Orthodox communities today, there are three Jewish judges serving as a local badatz.
Badatz in Israel
Badatz is not a major beth din according to the laws of the State of Israel. Certain Badatz, such as that of the ultra-Orthodox community, do not recognize the authority of the State of Israel, and the judgments are not legally valid but only halakhic.
Rabbinical Courts
Rabbinical courts that use this title include:
- Badatz Edah HaChareidis from Jerusalem{{cite web|url=http://www.kosherinjerusalem.com/kashrut_recommendations/all_jerusalem_hechshers|title=All Jerusalem Hechshers|publisher=Kosher in Jerusalem|accessdate=26 April 2018}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Badatz Igud Rabbonim of Rabbi Osher Yaakov Westheim{{cite web|url=http://www.hechshers.info/kashauth/185.htm|title=Badatz Igud Rabbonim|accessdate=26 April 2018}}
- Badatz Chassam Sofer from Bnei Brak, and Rabbis Shmuel Eliezer Stern and Yitzchok Shlomo Ungar
- Badatz Mehadrin of Rabbi Simcha HaKohen Kook and Rabbi Avraham Rubin{{cite web|url=https://www.ou.org/life/files/Kashrut_Organization_Nov13.pdf|title=OU Kosher Israel Guide|publisher=OU|accessdate=26 April 2018}}
- Badatz Machzikei HaDas of Belz{{cite news|url=http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/2013/03/kashrus-alert-from-belz-badatz-machzikei-hadas/|title=Kashrus Alert from Belz Badatz Machzikei Hadas|publisher=Jerusalem Kosher News|date=13 March 2013|accessdate=26 April 2018}}
- Badatz Beit Yosef of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef{{cite news|url=http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/2009/10/a-look-at-badatz-beit-yosef/|title=A Look at Badatz Beit Yosef|publisher=Jerusalem Kosher News|date=27 October 2009|accessdate=26 April 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/2008/01/badatz-beit-yosef-yoreh-deah/|title=Badatz Beit Yosef & Yoreh Deah|publisher=Jerusalem Kosher News|date=31 January 2008|accessdate=26 April 2018}}
- Badatz Agudas Yisroel
- Badatz Yoreh Deah of Rabbis Shlomo Machpoud{{cite news|url=http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/2010/11/badatz-yoreh-deah-%E2%80%93-nothing-to-report/|title=Badatz Yoreh Deah – Nothing to Report|publisher=Jerusalem Kosher News|date=8 November 2010|accessdate=26 April 2018}} and Ovadia Yosef
- Badatz Chug Chassam Sofer of Rabbi A. Wosner{{cite web|url=http://www.badatz.ca/chatamsofer/|title=Badatz Chug Chassam Sofer|publisher=Canada's Alternate Kosher Supervision|accessdate=26 April 2018}}
- Badatz of the Hisachdus Kehilas Hayereim
- Badatz of Toronto of Rabbi Amram Assayag[http://www.badatz.ca Badatz Toronto] Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- Badatz Rabbinical Court, based in Lakewood, New Jersey, with courtrooms around the U.S.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
- Badatz Mekor Haim, based in Queens, New York, of Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim{{cite web |title=Badatz Mekor Haim |url=https://www.badatzqueens.org/ |website=badatzqueens.org |access-date=23 March 2021}}