Further differences between monetary and capital cases that were mentioned in the mishna are discussed and derivations are brought.

How would they intimidate the witnesses?

Various questions are asked by heretics to particular rabbis and the rabbi’s responses are brought.

Study Guide Sanhedrin 40. How many questions do they ask the witnesses?  What are the different types of questions that they ask – what is the difference between chakirot and bedikot?  Where are the number of chakirot derived from?  What is the derivation for the law relating to warning the accused before he committed the…

The gemara discusses further details of what types of contradictions are accepted in testimony and what aren’t.  Details about the blessing over the new moon are discussed (kiddush levana).  Can women partake in this mitzva or not?

Once convicted of stoning, there were a number of processes instituted in order to allow for a chance that new evidence may be brought forward to acquit.  A whole section of the gemara about Yeshu the Nazarene was censored and does not appear in the standard printed edition of the gemara.   The missing text…

The one who is taken out to be stoned is asked to confess.  The importance of confession is learned from Achan.   The story of Achan is analyzed and verses are extrapolated to teach various halachot as well as moral messages.  To what extent are the Jewish people responsible for others?   Can children be…

Study Guide Sanhedrin 45. If after the person is convicted, the witnesses claim that they were lying, we do not accept their testimony and the person is killed.  Likewise, if the convicted person himself makes it clear that he/she is innocent, they are still sent to be killed as there is reason to believe that they…

Those who were stoned were also hung – does this include all or only some of those who were stoned?  How did the hanging process work?   Were women also hung?   Many of these laws are derived from 2 verses in Devarim regarding the death penalty.  The dead body must be buried by nightfall.…

Are eulogies for the deceased or for the deceased’s relatives?  Does one receive atonement upon getting punished by death by the court?  If so, at what stage is the atonement affected?