Study Guide Sanhedrin 15. The gemara gives three expalnations what the mishna means when it says valuations of moveable items.  Why does Rabbi Yehuda require one kohen?  Why in land valuations does it need to be 9 and one kohen?  What is the case of a person mentinoed here?  What is the status of a person’s hair…

What are the sources for the laws in the mishna that require a court of 71?  There are a few additional details in the mishna regarding a city that all worship idols.  These details are explained and the derivation for these details are brought.  The debate between Rabbi Yehuda and the tanna kamma about whether…

Eldad and Meidad – how did the story unfold, what did they prophesize about, why weren’t they with the other people who were chosen?  The mishna explains that one needs a majority of 2 to rule against someone – how does this work out?  What are the requirements for being a judge?  A long list…

The kohen gadol and the king have unique laws that apply to them.  The mishna delineates similarities and differences between them as well as mentions some unique laws that relate to each of them.  The Gemara begins by analyzing these details.

What are unique laws that pertain to the king?  How does he mourn?  Is he allowed to do all the things that the prophet Shmuel warned the people about when they asked for a king – that the king will take their sons, cattle, etc.?  How many wives are they allowed to have?  How are the…

Laws regarding a kohen gadol when he loses a close relative and when he goes to comfort others are discussed.  How does a shura (lines meant to comfort mourners) work?  Originally the people walked in a line and the mourners stood in one place.  Later it was changed to be the reverse due to a fight…

The king can’t have lots of horses or gold and silver but he can have them for his needs as king, particularly as head of the army.  There is a debate regarding how many Torahs a king needs to have written for him and for what purpose?   One who holds two learns is from…

How are judges chosen?  Does each side have the ability to disqualify witnesses or judges that the other side brought/chose?  Is this mishna referring to a regular court system or to an arbitration court?  There are many difficulties with the simple reading of the mishna and the amoraim struggle to understand the different sections of…

Study Guide Sanhedrin 24. Various drashot are brought (mainly from verses of Zecharia) which show the difference between the scholars in Israel and those in Babylonia.  It seems to be a self-critique of the Babylonians of what goes on in their batei midrash.  If one accepts one witness to testify or a relative of the…

If someone repents, how does the community/society know that he repented and can allow him to testify for others in court?  What were other categories of people that were originally allowed to testify but ultimately were not accepted as witnesses.