Sanhedrin 10 - December 27, 26 Kislev

Today's daf is sponsored by Mindy and Eric Hecht in loving memory of Dr. Charles Feldman, z"l. "He would have loved to have been part of this learning community and is surely looking down on his many family members who learn the daf with much pride. He is missed every day."  Today's daf is sponsored by Naomi Oxman in loving memory of her mother, Sara "Bubaleh" Younger on her 6th yahrzeit. "We miss you much and think of you and Dad every day!"  Today's daf is sponsored by the Hadran Women of Long Island for the refua shleima to our friend and co-learner Rikki Zibbit, who is recovering from surgery. "We daven that you will continue to recuperate, and be able to use your new knee to dance at many smachot." Today's daf is sponsored by Vicky Harari in loving memory of her mother Tzipora bat Rachel. "Her persistent inner strength, resilience and eternal optimism inspire me daily."  Rava teaches that self-incriminating testimony is not accepted in court, and this principle extends to testimony against one's spouse. However, this does not apply to testimony about one's possessions. There is a dispute regarding the required court size for cases involving lashes. The rabbis hold these cases require three judges, while Rabbi Yishmael requires twenty-three. Abaye explains that Rabbi Yishmael derives this through a gezeira shava (textual comparison) from capital cases. Rava, however, views lashes as a substitute for capital punishment. The term "ibur hachodesh" in the Mishna has four different interpretations. Regarding the intercalation of the year, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel outlines a three-stage process: beginning with three judges, deliberating with five, and concluding with seven. The Tosefta Sanhedrin 2:1 elaborates on this view. Two explanations are offered for the significance of these specific numbers (3, 5, and 7).