Category: Sanhedrin

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Zealots May Kill One Who Has Bi’ah with a Nochris Rav Kahana asks: If zealots did not kill him in the moment, does he remain punishable by some other means after the fact? The discussion is: Kanna’im Pog’in Bo is a specific dispensation only while the act is in progress.…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. “Killing Someone Before He Sins”   B. “Ba b’Machteres” (Thief in a Tunnel) Revisited (lines about the rodef scenario) Typically, to execute a criminal, a formal warning is required. But for a rodef threatening immediate harm, no prior warning is necessary. Once the rodef has completed the act (e.g., raped…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. What Is Best for the Wicked and the Righteous (cont.) (line 1) The Gemara reiterates that the Ben Sorer u’Moreh isn’t killed for the small offense of stealing and eating a small portion of meat/wine; rather, the Torah anticipates that if unchecked, he’ll deplete his parents’ money, turn to robbery,…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Ben Sorer u’Moreh Must Eat Meat and Drink Wine The Beraita explicitly excludes any other form of eating/drinking from incurring the rebellious son penalty. It cites additional verses that allude to “Sovei = wine” and “Zolel = meat” to highlight the synergy of these substances in forming addictive, gluttonous…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Death of R. Eliezer Mishnah Quote (Context) The Mishnah relates (quoted by R. Akiva in the name of R. Yehoshua) a teaching that pertains to gathering gourds, where only one person is liable despite two acting. The Gemara notes that R. Akiva actually learned this from R. Eliezer. Story…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Nichush Nichush and Omens A Beraita explains “Lo Teonenu v’Lo Tenachashu” (Vayikra 19:26) as a prohibition of using superstitious omens drawn from weasels, birds, or fish. Nichush is superstition, e.g., interpreting random signs (like a black cat crossing one’s path, or one’s bread falling) as a good or bad omen.…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Halakhic Analysis Ov and Yid’oni (line 1) Ov refers to a witch who conjures spirits and raises the dead, making them speak under his armpit. Yid’oni is one who communicates with the dead using his mouth. Both are liable for stoning if they engage in these activities. Asking them to…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Halakhic Analysis Abolition of the Yetzer Ha’Ra for Idolatry (line 5) The Talmud describes the events involving Anshei Knesset HaGedolah (the Great Assembly) who recognized that the evil inclination (Yetzer Ha’Ra) for idolatry was causing widespread destruction: the Temple’s ruin, murder of the righteous, and exile of Israel. They prayed…