אַב בֵּית הַדִּין (אב"ד)

ביטוי (אנגלית)

President of the Court / Head of the Tribunal

הגדרה (אנגלית)

The judge or rabbinic authority who presides over a panel of three or more judges and leads the judicial proceedings.

("Akavya ben Mahalalel testified to four things. They said to him: ‘Akavya, retract your words, and we will make you the Head of the Court of Israel.’ He replied: ‘I would rather be called a fool all my life than become wicked for one hour before God, lest people say I retracted for the sake of authority.’" — Mishnah Eduyot 6:6. Also: “A sage and elder in wisdom, or a Nasi (President) or Av Beit Din (Head of the Court) who sinned — he is never publicly excommunicated; rather, they say to him: ‘Honor yourself and stay at home.’” — Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Sefer HaMada, Hilchot Talmud Torah, Ch. 7:1. Also: “When the head of the court heard that the assembly was again voicing words of defense for the young scholars, he rose from his place and left.” — Yitzhak Burla, Kisufim, p. 267. Also: “The wealthy man decided to appoint him as Av Beit Din.” — S.Y. Agnon, Elu Ve’Elu, Ma’alot u’Moradot, p. 124. Also: “On their way, they came to Krakow, a great city in Israel, where the holy Bach served as Av Beit Din in those days.” — Mordechai ben Yechezkel, Sefer HaMa’asiyot, Part IV, Ma’aseh b’Apifyor Echad, p. 406.)