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The gemara (Sanhedrin 2b) debates whether the Torah requires semuchim for monetary matters, and the Rishonim differ as to which opinion to accept. Tosafot (Sanhedrin 3a) says they are not required; the Rosh (ad loc. 1:3) and the Tur (Choshen Mishpat 1) say that Torah law requires them (a rabbinic institution allowed others to judge).
Why would someone who knows how to rule be disallowed if he lacks semicha? The K’tzot Hachoshen (3:1) says that the issue is not the ability to decide matters but the authority to enforce a ruling when both sides do not accept it. When they accept the judges and the judgment, the Torah does not require semuchim. Capital and corporal punishment are forced upon the person who is judged, thus explaining why semuchim are required. The same idea applies to matters of a public nature.
The uninterrupted chain of semicha from dayan to dayan ended during the period of the Amoraim. How then, will we have semuchim at the time of Mashiach? Will it require the resurrection of deceased semuchim? The Rambam (Sanhedrin 4:11) suggests that if all of the scholars of Eretz Yisrael agree to appoint dayanim and give them semicha, this will be effective, thus creating semicha that can then be passed on to others. The loss of semicha was seen as a tragedy because the dispersed nation found it difficult to get everyone together to agree to carry out the process.
The Rambam reasons that this must be the case because Hashem promised to return our judges as of old. Since Mashiach cannot change the Torah, he cannot create a process that does not exist. Therefore, there thus must be an existing mechanism and, indeed, the re-advent of the Sanhedrin will be a harbinger of the coming of Mashiach. One could argue that just as Moshe was the recognized Torah authority and thus was the head of the courts who could give semicha, so too in the future an authoritative leader would assume this position.
At different times in history there have been attempts to implement the Rambam’s suggestion (in the Mishneh Torah, his view on implementation is vague). The most famous and serious attempt was done in Tzfat at the time of the Mahari Beir Rav (16th century), when his colleagues gave him semicha. This was opposed by the community in Yerushalayim, headed by the Maharalbach. He opposed on fundamental grounds, as many disagree with the Rambam and say semicha will return only with the coming of Mashiach. They also argued that all of the scholars of Eretz Yisrael would have to come together in agreement, whereas at that time, the scholars of Tzfat did the whole thing themselves.
Unfortunately, despite more recent efforts by Rav Yisrael Mishiklov and Rav Maimion, we are still without semuchim.
P'ninat Mishpat (829)
Various Rabbis
107 - The Manner in Which a Shomer Becomes Obligated
108 - Dayanim With Authentic Semicha
109 - How Do We Judge These Days?
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Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Late and Flawed Apartment
based on ruling 82174 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: How Many Dayanim?
based on ruling 84139-1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part III
based on appeal of ruling 80082 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
