The "Psakim" website – psakim.org – was established in 2016 (Hebrew year 5776) and is operated by the nonprofit organization "Machon Psakim."

The site was created with the vision of compiling rabbinical monetary rulings from all courts that adjudicate according to Torah law, under one roof and in a format accessible to the public: to the judges sitting in the government courts and property courts, to the public of rabbinical litigants and lawyers who deal with Jewish law, to teachers and students, as well as to anyone interested in this fascinating field. The goal is to promote the study of Jewish civil law and halacha in practical terms, recognizing that the connection between studying Choshen Mishpat and its real-world application is essential and a vital part of Israel’s redemption, as in the verse: “Zion shall be redeemed with justice.”

While there are several websites that compile rulings from Israeli civil courts, there was no similar platform for collecting all rulings from rabbinical courts that judge according to halacha. This site was founded with the intent to develop this branch of Jewish law and to enable every learner and judge to rely on precedents and examine issues through the lens of others who have already deliberated and ruled on them. The site is completely free and accessible to the public, aiming to elevate the status of Jewish law.

The Rulings

Each month, dozens of new rulings are added to the site. As of Tishrei 5786, the site contains over 2,450 rulings. These rulings are sourced from rabbinical courts that adjudicate according to Jewish law. Currently, the site primarily features rulings related to Choshen Mishpat, with fewer rulings on Even HaEzer (family law).

At the beginning of each ruling, the following are briefly presented: a summary of the ruling, the legal questions addressed in the case, and a concise decision. Additionally, users can find the topics discussed in the rulings through the subject index and the site's extensive search options.

Indexing the Rulings

Every ruling uploaded to the site is indexed by subjects and by source references, allowing users to locate content based on various topics. Clicking on a category or subcategory reveals a list of all rulings linked to that topic. Advanced search options are available, including keyword search, filtering by specific court or judge, or accessing a ruling by its serial number. A general Google-powered search is also available.

Additional indexes are created periodically based on interest or demand, such as topics "Shemittat Kesafim", inheritance, or Talmudic issues studied in educational institutions. These indexes appear in the "Articles and Studies" section under the link: "Selected Topics and Indexes."

Articles and Studies Section

The site also features an "Articles and Studies" section, from researchers at our institute - 'Machon Paskim', and booklets that we issue from time to time. This section complements the rulings, offering articles, responsa, and books dealing with halachic analysis in monetary law. Since rulings often condense discussions, many judges elaborate on their decisions in responsa literature.

For public benefit, the section includes a list of rabbinical courts and contact information. The site does not guarantee the accuracy of these details. Additionally, answers to rabbinical court exams from the Chief Rabbinate are posted, written by the Dayanut Kollel of Beit El Yeshiva, and updated periodically.

The site also serves as a platform for discussion about rulings. Comments can be submitted and are forwarded to the courts for response, then published on the site at the discretion of the editorial team. The vision is that through this halachic dialogue, rabbinical judges can unify rulings and reach consensus on issues currently subject to significant disagreement.

You can contact us regarding any site-related matter (e.g., help finding rulings, inquiries about courts) via the "Contact Us" form on the site.

We would be happy of rulings and articles related to Choshen Mishpat, though we do not guarantee publication of all received materials.

The rulings and details published are the sole responsibility of the courts. Nevertheless, the Paskim site makes every effort to avoid publishing identifying details of individuals who do not wish to be identified. If an error occurs, we appreciate being notified (see site policy).

The site was established in memory of Rivka Riva bat Lipman Eliezer, Yaakov Gak ben Yehuda Leib z”l Morgenstern, Yisrael Mordechai Max ben Avraham Yosef Pats z”l, and Eliezer Yosef z”l ben Baruch and Lydia (may she live and be well), in collaboration with Yeshiva.org and the Ramat HaSharon Yeshiva.

Materials from psakim.org may be used for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution: "Taken from the Psakim website."

Tishrei 5786