Sanhedrin

Sanhedrin1

Ancient_Galilee

Napoleonic_Medal

Sanhedrin

סַנְהֶדְרִין
Type	Judicial body
Location	Jerusalem
Region served	Ancient Israel
Official language	Hebrew

The Sanhedrin (Hebrew: סַנְהֶדְרִין ) was an assembly of twenty-three or seventy-one elders (known as "rabbis" after the destruction of the Second Temple), appointed to sit as a tribunal in every city in the ancient Land of Israel. The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme court and legislative body in ancient Israel. It was composed of seventy-one members and was located in Jerusalem.

Etymology

The term "Sanhedrin" is derived from the Greek word synedrion (συνέδριον), which means "sitting together," hence "assembly" or "council."

Structure and Function

The Sanhedrin was divided into two main types: the Great Sanhedrin and the Lesser Sanhedrin. The Great Sanhedrin was the highest court in the land, while the Lesser Sanhedrin consisted of twenty-three judges and was established in cities with a population of at least 120 men.

The Great Sanhedrin

The Great Sanhedrin met in the Hall of Hewn Stones in the Temple and was composed of the Nasi (president), the Av Beit Din (chief of the court), and sixty-nine general members. It dealt with religious, civil, and criminal matters, including the interpretation of Jewish law (Halakha), and had the authority to appoint judges to the Lesser Sanhedrin.

The Lesser Sanhedrin

The Lesser Sanhedrin was established in cities with a significant population and consisted of twenty-three judges. These courts dealt with less severe cases and local disputes.

Historical Context

The Sanhedrin played a crucial role during the Second Temple period, particularly under the Hasmonean dynasty and the Herodian dynasty. It continued to function in some capacity even after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, although its influence waned significantly.

Dissolution

The Sanhedrin was formally dissolved in 358 CE by the Roman Empire. Attempts to revive the Sanhedrin have been made throughout history, but none have been successful in re-establishing it as the central judicial authority.

Related Pages

• Second Temple
• Jewish law
• Nasi (Hebrew title)
• Av Beit Din
• Hasmonean dynasty
• Herodian dynasty
• Temple in Jerusalem