It is not every day the EU (European Union) gives full cover to a prominently Rabbinical gathering and moreover even permits them the use of one of their Conference Halls. How unusual to hear the sound of Halachic discussions emanating from the building, as never before! The magnificent hall became a Beis Hamedrash for one day!

The splendid Conference Hall which generally accommodates conferences of high-ranking officials, was now occupied by prestigious Dayanim, the most senior of the main European communities. The sophisticated microphones affixed to each seat were now used by the important guests, whose discussions did not deal with the extension of the EU eastwards – currently on the European Union’s most pressing agenda – but with the strengthening of Judaism: with divorce matters, increasing the authority of the Jewish Beth Din, closing the gaps in Jewish law, and a long list of Halachic topics which require Dayanim’s involvement.

This conference followed several meetings organised by the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, which became the main tool whereby the Centre assists the Rabbonim find solutions to their daily problems. The main difference now was not only the unusual location but also in the full participation of all RCE Moetzes-Committee members, plus dozens of Rabbonim who are RCE members. The Rabbonim eagerly await this conference – it is their chance to lay their Halachic dilemmas before outstanding leaders with years of experience behind them, who do their best to find answers and solutions to every question. The particular combination of Dayanim, each excelling in a specific field, enables these discussions to provide valuable assistance in the Dayanim‘s daily tasks.

Indeed, during the two-day conference, solutions were found to many difficult and complicated questions, which concern Dayanim. What power does a Labour Court have from the Halachic aspect? When does the law of the land override Halachah? Is dismissal from employment due to pregnancy valid according to Halachah? May one go directly to a non-Jewish court in cases where Beis Din has no power to act? What are the halachic ramifications of a warning notice? May one threaten a defendant with civil proceedings? What are the chances of having Jewish divorce officially recognised in civil law? How can one help Agunos? This is just a small section of the topics that came under discussion, for which suitable answers were proffered.

For instance it was agreed to establish an international centre, under RCE auspices, to coordinate efforts in locating disappearing husbands who abandon their wives as Agunos who are unable to remarry. Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Secretary of the RCE, held the audience spellbound as he described a thrilling operation carried out by the RCE which located the errant husband after an amazing sequence of events and finally delivered a Get releasing the wife from an impossible situation.

On financial matters, participants were able to hear a lucid opinion on each query arising from a special Israeli guest who travelled specially for this conference: Rabbi Yaakov Avrohom Cohen, author of Emek Hamishpat, and a member of Rav Nissim Karelitz’s Beis Din. At the close of the conference, each participant received a copy of the latest Sefer of Rabbi Cohen – Emek Hamishpat IV on patents and copyright.

Several high-ranking personalities from the European political world also took part in the discussions: The Vice-President of the Parliament, and the senior advisor of the President of the European Union appeared before the Dayanim, as well as the French Minister of Housing, Christian Astourzi (check correct spelling), who it was assumed would receive a senior post in the Nicholai Sarcuzi’s (check correct spelling) new government.

All of them expressed their admiration for the Jewish legal system and its values, and also for the Rabbinical Centre of Europe active in this field. “We are very committed to protecting Israel and Jewish values”, claimed the Vice-President of the Parliament in his speech. “You were and remain an inseparable part of the European people and their culture, you were here all the years”, exclaimed the President’s advisor, who also revealed that he was of Jewish origin, and that his mother had hidden a Jewish child during the war years. “As long as mankind exists, we cannot ignore the lessons of the Holocaust”, he added. The advisor also promised to relay to the President of the EU the impressions of his visit and the wonderful work of the Jewish law administrators in Europe.

The Rabbonim, from their part, urged the guests to wield their influence in Parliament and other EU institutions to modify their laws to facilitate the implementation of Jewish law, for instance the government attitude to divorces granted by a Jewish Court of Law, or solving the problem of Agunos.

The French Housing Minister appeared for the second half of the meeting. Many news reporters, who expressed their admiration of this special event, accompanied his entrance. In his lively address, the Minister described his close contact with the Jewish people and with Israel. The audience was spellbound by his description of his recent visit to Kiryat Shemona and Mettula, which were damaged in the Lebanon war. “I warned the Lebanese and told them clearly: However much you destroy Israel, we will rebuild double”, he related, and received loud applause. At the end of his speech, the French Rabbonim presented the Minister with a beautiful silver Menorah.

The conference was concluded by a moving visit to the Shul of the Machzikei Hadas community, which celebrated eighty years since its establishment. The Rabbonim joined in the celebrations and addressed the public in honour of the occasion.