An important area of the training that the Barkai Center offers is practical Halacha. A Rabbi must constantly remain up to date in his knowledge of practical Halacha. Here is a brief summary of what the rabbis have been studying in this area:
Jewish Civil Law
The rabbis studied different areas of Jewish Civil law and how it relates to the lives of Jews living in the State of Israel today. The training was provided by Dayanim (Rabbinical Judges) from the religious courts of the Chief Rabbinate as well as privately operated courts. Some of the topics that were dealt with include: when is it obligatory to go to a religious court and when is it permissible to go to a secular court, Is it possible to run a state according to Jewish law, How does one religiously adjudicate many modern questions that are not explicitly mentioned in the Torah.
Legal Training in Family Law
Training in this area was provided by Attorney and Rabbinic Advocate Elad Zamir, an expert in Family Law. The rabbis learned about the policies of the Rabbinic courts as well as the secular courts in this area especially the topics of the division of assets and child custody. The goal of the course was that in the case where it is impossible to mediate harmony, the rabbis will be in a position to guide divorcing couples so as to bring about amicable divorces that will be best for the children.
Shaatnez
The experiential training in Shaatnez was provided by Rabbi Yaakov Gurevitz, a worldwide expert. The rabbis were surprised to realize just how widespread the problem is and how it is possible to find Shaatnez in articles of clothing where one would never expect it. The rabbis conveyed this information to their communities.