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Sanhedrin 40b

סנהדרין מ׳ ע״ב

Learn Sanhedrin 40b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The seven חקירות: their source, how far they extend, a possible eighth question, and the source for התראה

Overview

The משנה requires seven חקירות (questions to the witnesses), and the גמרא found them spread across three פסוקים. It explains that the shared word "היטב" creates a free גזירה שוה linking the three, so all seven questions apply to stoning and sword cases even though the cases differ. Strangling and burning cases are then added by a קל וחומר. Because רבי שמעון holds that burning is harsher, רב יהודה finds one spare word in the פסוקים to teach about burning. רבי אבהו suggests the spare word might add an eighth question instead, and the גמרא tests possible candidates. Next comes the debate between רבי יוסי and the חכמים over whether the court asks every time question even when it seems pointless. A ברייתא then lists the essential questions in murder and idol worship cases. Finally, עולא begins to show from the word "וראה" that the Torah requires התראה, an argument that finishes on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְאֵימָא: חֲדָא חֲדָא כְּדִכְתִיבָא?

But say: each one is as it is written?

דְּאִם כֵּן,

For if so,

לִיכְתְּבִינְהוּ רַחֲמָנָא בַּחֲדָא!

let the Merciful One write them in one place!

כֵּיוָן דְּכוּלְּהוּ בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי כְּתִיבָא,

Since they are all written alike,

The steps (32)

  1. ChallengeMaybe each case keeps only its own questions
  2. ResolutionVerses written alike count as written together
  3. ChallengeBut the three cases are not alike
  4. ChallengeThe three differences spelled out
  5. ResolutionThe link is the shared word "היטב"
  6. StatementThe גזירה שוה must be free
  7. Resolution"היטב" is clearly free
  8. ChallengeThe word is only free in two of the three verses
  9. ResolutionEven in עיר הנדחת the word is extra
  10. StatementStrangling and burning cases learned by a קל וחומר
  11. ChallengeThe burning argument fails for רבי שמעון
  12. ResolutionA new word count: eleven words, one left over
  13. ResolutionWhat the extra word teaches for each opinion
  14. ChallengeWhy not an eighth question?
  15. QuestionIs there even an eighth question?
  16. ResponseThe eighth question: what point in the hour
  17. ProofA ברייתא mentions eight questions
  18. ChallengeThe eighth question makes no sense if witnesses err by half an hour
  19. ResolutionA new try: asking which year within the jubilee
  20. ChallengeThat is the same as asking which seven-year period
  21. ResolutionAnother try: asking which jubilee
  22. RejectionWhy the other side needs no 'which jubilee' question
  23. Challengeרבי יוסי: why ask about years if he said 'last night'?
  24. ChallengeThe חכמים answer back: what if he said 'just now'?
  25. ResolutionThe חכמים: we ask all the questions anyway, like רבי שמעון בן אלעזר
  26. Resolutionרבי יוסי: 'last night' is common, 'just now' is rare
  27. StatementA ברייתא: the essential questions in a murder case
  28. StatementThe ברייתא continues: questions for an idol worshipper
  29. Statementעולא brings a פסוק as the source for forewarning
  30. ChallengeDoes the sin really depend on seeing?
  31. Resolution'Seeing' means being shown the reason
  32. ResolutionIf it is not needed for כרת