Smart Jewish Studies

Category: Sanhedrin

  • Sanhedrin 113

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    Kevin
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    Halakhic Overview: Sanhedrin 113 – The Case of Ir HaNidachas Continued Sanhedrin 113 concludes the discussion of Ir HaNidachas—a city whose majority inhabitants were seduced into idol worship—and introduces layered halakhic concerns: the liability of mesitim (inciters), application of kal va’chomer reasoning, and what happens to tzaddikim and their assets within the city. Core Halakhic…

  • Sanhedrin 112

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    Kevin
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    Halakhic Analysis of Sanhedrin 112 (Ir HaNidachas) Sanhedrin 112 focuses on the unique halakhic status of an Ir HaNidachas—a city in Israel whose majority inhabitants have been led astray into idolatry (avodah zarah). This is a highly severe and rare case in Torah law, carrying the capital penalty for the inhabitants and the complete destruction…

  • Sanhedrin 111

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    Kevin
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    HALAKHIC Overview OF SANHEDRIN 111 Core Halakhic Themes Ir haNidachat (Condemned City) – The halakhic criteria for declaring a city as nidachat are exceptionally stringent. Per Devarim 13:13–19, and expounded here and in Sanhedrin 71a, it requires: Majority of the city’s population (adults, men) enticed by idolatrous inhabitants. That enticers be local men. That there…

  • Sanhedrin 100

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    Kevin
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    I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Continuation: Definitions of “Apikorus” Rava’s Example: Household of Binyamin the Doctor Rava says an Apikorus is like those in the house of Binyamin the doctor, who dismiss the importance of the Sages’ p’sak (“They never allowed the raven or forbade the dove”). They basically claim Sages haven’t introduced anything new.…

  • Sanhedrin 99

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    Kevin
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    I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Time of Mashiach’s Arrival Dialogue with a Min A heretic (Min) asks R. Avahu when Mashiach will come. R. Avahu: “He’ll come when darkness covers certain people (i.e., you Minim).” The Min: “You’re cursing me!” R. Avahu: “No, it’s based on (Isa. 60:2) – ‘Darkness covers the earth and…

  • Sanhedrin 98

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    Kevin
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    I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Can Israel Be Redeemed Without Teshuvah? (cont.) Context – Beraita #2 (from previous discussion) R. Eliezer holds that redemption requires Israel’s voluntary repentance (teshuvah). R. Yehoshua maintains that if Israel does not repent on their own, G-d will install a harsh ruler (like Haman) who forces them to repent. Exchange…

  • Sanhedrin 97

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    Kevin
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    I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Bar Nafli (Mashiach) – Rav Nachman & R. Yitzchak Identity of Bar Nafli Rav Nachman asks R. Yitzchak: “Have you heard when ‘Bar Nafli’ will come?” R. Yitzchak: “Who is Bar Nafli?” Rav Nachman clarifies: It is a name referring to Mashiach, derived from “Sukat David ha-nofelet” (Amos 9:11), meaning…

  • Sanhedrin 96

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    Kevin
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    I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Hash-m Disgraced Sancheriv Angels Appear as Humans The Talmud describes how Sancheriv, after his army was destroyed, was searching for a way to disguise himself. Angels, disguised as men, trick him into performing manual labor (grinding date pits) in exchange for a pair of scissors (or a razor), so he…

  • Sanhedrin 94

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    Kevin
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    I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. One’s Mazel Can See Danger Context The Talmud references a verse from Isaiah (10:7 and 10:8, or possibly 8:7–8) describing how certain individuals or their angels – i.e., mazel – can sense a threat even if the person does not physically see it. The Gemara extracts that if someone feels…