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  • From: Harold Holmyard <hholmyard AT ont.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] PS Re: oral Torah
  • Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 09:57:14 -0500

Dear Shoshanna,

OK they were "elders" (Numbers 11:16), "judges and officers" (Deuteronomy 16:18). Exodus 18:21 describes the moral character that was required, and so does Deuteronomy 1:13.


HH: Right, I did not mean to take anything away from the position of elders or judges.

The Torah gives them their authority in Deuteronomy 17:11, In Deuteronomy 17:8, the Torah says (when there will be the Temple) to go to the Priests, the Levites and the Judge to ask them to judge in difficult matters. The Sanhedrin had more authority and power if it convened in the "place which G-d shall choose" (ie, the Chamber of Cut Stone in the Temple), than if it convened elsewhere (Deuteronomy 17:10)


Hh: This is a judicial context in Deuteronomy 17 and certainly implies that he proceedings are to occur to the central worship site in Israel.

One of the functions of the Sanhedrin was to test a man claiming to be a prophet and if he passed the test, he was proclaimed prophet by the Sanhedrin, that was the only body that was allowed to do this. Israel was commanded to choose a king in Deuteronomy 17: 14, 15 - that G-d shall choose, meaning that he must be chosen with the concurrence of both a prophet and the Sanhedrin.


HH: That's interesting, and there is truth in it. That's what occurred with both Saul and David.


G-d told Moshe to choose 70 men, who, together with him would be the first Sanhedrin, and told Israel that they had authority. I don't remember by heart the description of their requirements, but they certainly had to be "wise men" and versed in Torah law.


Hh: Of course, you are right.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard





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