Sanhedrin 87a

סנהדרין פ״ז ע״א

Learn Sanhedrin 87a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The ברייתא that reads the זקן ממרא פסוק word by word, the three opinions on what kind of law makes a זקן ממרא liable, and רב פפא's explanation of the ברייתא according to רבי מאיר.

Overview

This amud finishes a ברייתא that reads the פסוק about the זקן ממרא (דברים 17:8) one word at a time. The ברייתא says the פסוק is about the top judge of a court, a מופלא who is also a יועץ, an adviser. Each word stands for an area of תורה: הלכה and דין, kinds of blood, court cases and נגעים, vows and dedications, special rituals, and gifts to the poor. Then it teaches that the judges go up to the בית דין הגדול, and that the chosen place is what gives its ruling force. The גמרא finds a source in ירמיהו for the idea that ארץ ישראל is higher than all other lands. Next comes a new ברייתא with three opinions on what kind of law makes a זקן ממרא liable. רבי מאיר requires כרת and חטאת, רבי יהודה requires a Torah root with a Rabbinic explanation, and רבי שמעון includes even a tiny detail, and the גמרא gives each one's source. Finally, רב פפא explains the first ברייתא according to רבי מאיר, showing how calendar rulings and the הלכה of the eleven days can lead to sins with כרת. His explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. StatementThe verse is about the top judge of the court
2. StatementThe word 'from you' means an adviser
3. ProofA verse in נחום links 'from you' with an adviser
4. Statement'A matter' is הלכה and 'for judgment' is דין
5. StatementThree kinds of blood, judgments and marks
6. StatementMatters of speech, controversy, and gifts to the poor
7. StatementArising from court and going up to the בית המקדש
8. StatementThe place itself gives the ruling its power
9. QuestionWhere do we learn that ארץ ישראל is higher than other lands?
10. ResponseA verse in ירמיהו calls coming to ארץ ישראל 'going up'
11. StatementThree opinions on which kind of law makes a rebellious elder liable
12. QuestionAsking for רבי מאיר's reason
13. Responseרבי מאיר learns 'matter' from 'matter'
14. Responseרבי יהודה's reason: both 'Torah' and 'they will teach you'
15. Responseרבי שמעון's source: even a tiny detail
16. QuestionExplain the ברייתא according to רבי מאיר
17. ResponseThe adviser who sets the calendar
18. ResponseEither way, he permits חמץ on פסח
19. ResponseThe word 'a matter' means a הלכה: the eleven days
20. StatementThe argument about blood on the tenth day
21. Statementרבי יוחנן's reasoning: the tenth needs a guarded day
22. Statementריש לקיש's reasoning: the tenth needs no guarded day
23. ResponseThe word 'judgment' means a דין