M.L.M. Center Honors 257 Graduates at Ceremonial Torah Learning Event

M.L.M., described as a path to Torah knowledge, held a festive appreciation event last night for graduates of its 18th class. The ceremony drew leading rabbis, judges, public figures, alumni, and their families. Certificates were awarded to 257 graduates across several demanding tracks, including 20 in the Dayanut track “Yadin Yadin,” 26 in the rabbinic ordination track “Yoreh Yoreh,” 34 in the rabbinic claimant track, and 177 others who completed parts of Shulchan Aruch as well as arbitration and mediation programs.

The evening’s main speaker was Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Yosef, who also serves as president of the Rabbinical High Court. He delivered a forceful address on the status of halakha and the independence of the Chief Rabbinate, sharply attacking the Supreme Court. He said, “The judges’ argument about reasonableness is the argument of Korach against Moses.” He also addressed pressure to ordain women as rabbis, saying women demanding a “Yoreh Yoreh” certificate should seek it from the High Court and not from the rabbinate. He pledged that, under his watch, any attempt by the High Court to impose women on the rabbinate would fail, and that no woman would receive a “Yoreh Yoreh” certificate.

Rabbi Zvadya Cohen, chief rabbi of Tel Aviv and deputy chief rabbi of Tel Aviv, also spoke. He told the new rabbis and judges that correct legal rulings require “knowledge of Torah, toil, responsibility, understanding of reality, composure, and great care for the dignity of the litigants.”

Israel Ben Baruch, chairman of the Israeli organization of rabbinic claimants and himself a graduate of the center, highlighted the impact of the new arbitration law and the amendment to Section 3 of the Rabbinical Courts Jurisdiction Law, saying they strengthen the rabbinical court’s authority in financial disputes and child support cases. Center chairman Rabbi Yigal Monisr said the secret of M.L.M.’s success is a method based on “first acquiring knowledge and then reasoning,” using clear structure, concise summaries, and repeated oral review. The center said registration is now open for upcoming tracks.