and gittin (divorce documents), although lay people are permitted to sit on the beth din for conversions. In addition to this there are batei din around the world who supervise the following matters: Kosher certification of restaurants and food manufacturers (Hechsher). Examination of shochetim and the control of the shechita inspectors Supervising the building and maintenance of a mikvah. Determination of "personal status" (i. e., whether someone is a Jew according to halakha). The authorization and supervision of mohelim. Questions relating to burial practices and mourning. A beth din is sometimes used within the Orthodox Jewish community to resolve civil disputes, with the Shulkhan Arukh calling for civil cases being resolved by religious, instead of secular, courts (arka'oth). Modern Western societies increasingly permit civil disputes to be resolved by private arbitration, enabling religious Jews to enter into agreements providing for arbitration by a particular beth din in the event of a dispute. By this device, the rules, procedures, and judgement of the beth din are accepted and can be enforced by secular courts in the same manner as those of a secular arbitration association. For example, in a 2018 decision, the Court of Appeal in Ontario, Canada, enforced an arbitration decision by the New York rabbinical court tribunal Beth Din (or Bais Din) of Mechon L'Hoyroa, in Brooklyn. However, the decisions of religious courts cannot be binding without the prior agreement of both parties, and will otherwise act only as mediation. Officers of a beth din A beth din may have the following officers: Av Beth Din (, literally "Chief of the Court", abbreviated / ABD) is the most senior jurist who may join in the adjudication of cases or advise the presiding dayanim. The av beth din will usually be a highly respected rabbi and posek, who can give responsa. Traditionally, the salaried rabbi of the local Jewish community served as the av beth din. Rosh Beth Din (, literally "Head of the Court", abbreviated ) is equivalent to a chief justice. He will be the senior member of a three-judge panel. In smaller communities, the av beth din also serves as the rosh. A Dayan (, rabbinic judge, plural: dayanim) sits and adjudicates cases. A rabbinic judge may directly question and cross-examine witnesses. The Dayan holds a specialized ordination titled Yadin Yadin. See also Rabbinic authority Rabbinical Court (Israel) Hefker beth-din hefker References External links Gov.il: The Rabbinical