European Institute Complete Study of Even Ha’ezer

The European institute for Jewish higher studies Completes a Course of Study in Even Ha’ezer. If a couple married in a Conservative ceremony, are they obligated to stand under the chuppah a second time in a halachically acceptable ceremony?

Recently, the scholars of The European institute for Jewish higher studies, in Brussels, Belgium, successfully completed their in-depth course of study of Even Ha’ezer. The avreichim were tested by Haga’on Harav Yirmiyah Menachem Kohen, shlita, av beis din of Paris; and by Haga’on Harav Eliyahu Bar Shalom, shlita, dayan and author of sefer Mishpat Haketubah.

The next course of study will focus on the prohibition of shatnez, including a practical workshop given by a certified shatnez-checking professional.

Recently, the scholars of The European institute for Jewish higher studies, in Brussels, successfully completed a series of major tests on Even Ha’ezer involving a broad range of issues related to marriage, chuppah and kiddushin. They were tested by Haga’on Rabbi Yirmiyah Menachem Kohen, shlita, av beis din of Paris, and Haga’on Rabbi Eliyahu Bar Shalom, shlita, dayan and author of sefer Mishpat Haketubah.

The Institute has been operating in Brussels for several years, and by now it has earned a reputation as a high-level kollel that enables a number of select avreichim to benefit from an in-depth, systematic study of important halachic topics.

Over the past year the avreichim learned the halachos of marriage, chuppah and kiddushin, beginning with the sugyos in Shas with the Rishonim, and continuing on to the practical rulings of the Tur, Shulchan Aruch and their commentaries. The past year’s learning program of the Institute also included various relevant courses and shiurim delivered by leading avot batei hadin and dayanim from around the world.

The tests, which lasted four hours, included an exam in writing, oral exams by Harav Eliyahu Bar Shalom, and oral exams by Rabbi Yirmiyah Kohen in which he presented a variety of problematic circumstances, which the avreichim were asked to analyze and then decide on halachic rulings. One example of a circumstance he presented was whether a couple married in a Conservative ceremony is obligated to undergo another, halachic chuppah and kiddushin.

When the tests were all completed, the rabbanim spoke enthusiastically about the depth and breadth of the avreichim’s grasp of the material.

With the start of the new zman, the Institute will begin a course of study exploring the prohibition of shatnez. The avreichim will begin the program with a study of pertinent sugyos in Shas with the Rishonim, and will then examine the practical approach of the Tur and Shulchan Aruch and their commentaries. The avreichim will also be given a practical workshop by a certified shatnez-checker, who will be brought in from Paris especially for this program.

Harav Menachem Gibali, director of the Institute, reported, “Our purpose is to prepare rabbanim of stature who are fluent in all the halachic sugyos and understand them clearly, and who will serve as true leaders to their communities. In these past few days we have taken an important step toward fulfilling this goal.”