Category: Sanhedrin

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Miracle Done for Chananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah (last line on previous Amud) R. Yochanan – Tzadikim Greater than Angels The Talmud references Daniel 3:25: Nebuchadnezzar sees “four men walking in the fire … and the fourth looks like a divine being.” R. Yochanan observes that the angel is mentioned…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Reward and Punishment for Teaching Torah (line 3 from end on previous Amud) Rav Yehudah States that one who refrains from teaching a halakhah to a student robs that student of his ancestral (spiritual) inheritance: “Torah tzivah lanu Moshe morashah kehilat Yaakov” is an inheritance to all Israel. By withholding…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Responses to Minim About Resurrection (line 1) Argument with the Kaiser The Talmud presents a story: A “Kaiser” (Roman Emperor or leader) who questions the Jewish doctrine of Techiyat HaMeitim. He says if living people die, then how much more so the dead shouldn’t be revived. The Kaiser’s daughter offers…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Argument About a False Navi (last line on previous Amud) Context The Talmud is discussing a false prophet (navi sheker) who prophesies to either totally uproot a mitzvah or partially uproot it. There’s a difference between “idolatry” vs. “other mitzvot.” Also, the Talmud references a Beraita explaining that “min…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. How One Could Add to the Mitzvah of Tefillin Context & Question The Talmud references a scenario where someone might attempt to add an extra compartment to tefillin. We know standard head tefillin (Shel Rosh) has four compartments – adding a fifth is invalid from the start. But if one…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Liability for Kidnapping Context / Discrepancies in Beraitot A Beraita states that if one kidnaps a Jew and sells him to relatives, the kidnapper is liable. Another Beraita suggests he is exempt if he sells to relatives. R. Shimon says that “me-echav” in the verse means removing the victim from…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Can a Son Lash or Curse His Father by Court Appointment? Central Question The Talmud asks if Beit Din can appoint a son to administer punishment (lashes or curses, e.g. excommunication) to his father if the father is judged guilty by the court. Rav Sheshes’s Approach Rav Sheshes suggests that…

  I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Those Who Transgress a Lav (line before last on previous Amud) The Talmud references “la’amod leshareis,” i.e. the service must be performed standing, not sitting. Violating this is a mere Lav with no higher penalty.   B. Debate: Ba’al Mum Doing Avodah   C. Me’ilah (Misuse of Sacred Property)…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Liability for Performing Avodah While Tamei (continued from previous Amud) do not incur capital punishment. These are all non-fundamental or “preparatory” Avodot. The Mishnah’s omission of Haktarah (burning parts of a Korban on the altar) suggests that if one performs Haktarah in a disqualified state (e.g., a Tamei Kohen), he…