Adin Steinsaltz Elected Head of New Sanhedrin
Arutz Sheva reports,
As parades filled the streets of Jerusalem Monday – Jerusalem Day – the reestablished Sanhedrin convened in the city to elect a Nassi and representatives to lead it.
The current format of the Sanhedrin is an attempt to renew the historic Sanhedrin, Judaism’s highest legal-religious tribunal during Holy Temple times. The 71-man assembly convened in one of the Holy Temple chambers, and existed from several decades before the Common Era until roughly 425 C.E. The renewed body was launched last year in Tiberias, now convenes in Jerusalem, and is still struggling to gain wide acceptance and legitimacy in the Torah world.
[…] Since the current Sanhedrin’s launch, it has been in a transitional stage as it gathered support and sought to rebuild the institution in accordance with Jewish law. A temporary Nassi had been appointed, but the mandated period came to an end, and so it was decided at the court’s last meeting that as the Sanhedrin moves into its next stage, it must become autonomous from the original founding committee and elect permanent officials. Rabbi Even-Israel Steinzaltz was chosen as Nassi.
[…] Rabbi Steinsaltz was reluctant to accept the position of Nassi, saying there are much wiser and more capable people among the group and among the Jewish people. “The purpose of the Sanhedrin is to bring unity to the nation,” Steinsaltz said, as he emphasized the unique ability of Jerusalem to bring the Jewish people together.
“The fact that he is not chasing after the honor of the position is exactly what makes him the best one for the job,” another Sanhedrin member told those present.
so. is anew branch of temple judaism good or bad?
On the upside, it’s a cute gesture of religious authority, with potential for moral priority, taking a stand against and/or with the government. if used for real good, that could be something.
Man,. this Sanhedrin shit is getting really serious, huh?
Steinsaltz, damn.
I was laughing with the rest of you guys at first, but you think maybe this could be the real McCoy? I mean, it tastes like Coke, man.
I’m gonna definitely read all the comments on this one.
What is very possibly the first time it has ever been referred to as “this Sanhedrin shit” in Jewish history.
“Those interested in becoming involved with the Sanhedrin should contact the Sanhedrin secretariat at: 02-566-1962 (972-2-566-1962 from outside Israel).”
Might give it a shot…
So, can they now legally execute heretics and idolaters?
I have tried the number here in Jerusalem. Not only does this guy live down the street from me, he let me know that the biggest help I could be right now is is I had a 4X4 vehicle. This could only mean…
Sandhedrin Jeep Adventures, Ltd!
Seems like the people involved are mostly Hardalim (Haredi-dati leumi) (ultra-conservative nationalists), except for the guy working at the Temple Institute.
As an egal, modern Jew, I think it’s time we come up with our own ideas about what having a Sanhedrin, aka the reinstatement and invigoration of Oral Torah, could do for this country if we combine it with the values of a liberal democracy ala Hayim Hirschenson?
Whose on board? The Torah responsible for parking tickets just as much as tefillin?
I’m looking forward to these guys gaining credibility. It’s about time that we rid the world of the differentiation that the various galuts forced on us. Given that, I’m not one to believe in instant gratification, so I’m happy that the ball is now rolling and that we will see more unity building in the near future.
Some say that the guys on board now are 2nd rate Rabbis and that all the heavyweights are outside, but I understand that what is so incredible that all the heavyweights are really behind the scenes reacting with silence, which politically means they don’t oppose it, but want to see if the nation will accept it before taking the plunge.
Shavuah tov all, our geula/redemption is getting closer every minute.
The stoning
CROWD OF WOMEN:
[yelling]
JEWISH OFFICIAL:
Matthias, son of Deuteronomy of Gath.
MATTHIAS:
Do I say ‘yes’?
STONE HELPER #1:
Yes.
MATTHIAS:
Yes.
OFFICIAL:
You have been found guilty by the elders of the town of uttering the name of our Lord, and so, as a blasphemer,…
CROWD:
Ooooh!
OFFICIAL:
…you are to be stoned to death.
CROWD:
Ahh!
MATTHIAS:
Look. I– I’d had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was, ‘That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.’
CROWD:
Oooooh!
OFFICIAL:
Blasphemy!
He’s said it again!
CROWD:
Yes! Yes, he did! He did!…
OFFICIAL:
Did you hear him?!
CROWD:
Yes! Yes, we did! We did!…
WOMAN #1:
Really!
[silence]
OFFICIAL:
Are there any women here today?
CROWD:
No. No. No. No…
OFFICIAL:
Very well. By virtue of the authority vested in me–
[CULPRIT WOMAN stones MATTHIAS]
MATTHIAS:
Oww! Lay off! We haven’t started yet!
OFFICIAL:
Come on! Who threw that? Who threw that stone? Come on.
CROWD:
She did! She did! He did! He! He. He. Him. Him. Him. Him. He did.
CULPRIT WOMAN:
Sorry. I thought we’d started.
OFFICIAL:
Go to the back.
CULPRIT WOMAN:
Oh, dear.
OFFICIAL:
Always one, isn’t there? Now, where were we?
MATTHIAS:
Look. I don’t think it ought to be blasphemy, just saying ‘Jehovah’.
CROWD:
Oooh! He said it again! Oooh!…
OFFICIAL:
You’re only making it worse for yourself!
MATTHIAS:
Making it worse?! How could it be worse?! Jehovah! Jehovah! Jehovah!
CROWD:
Oooooh!…
OFFICIAL:
I’m warning you. If you say ‘Jehovah’ once more–
[MRS. A. stones OFFICIAL]
Right. Who threw that?
[silence]
Come on. Who threw that?
CROWD:
She did! It was her! He! He. Him. Him. Him. Him. Him. Him.
OFFICIAL:
Was it you?
MRS. A.:
Yes.
OFFICIAL:
Right!
MRS. A.:
Well, you did say ‘Jehovah’.
CROWD:
Ah! Ooooh!…
[CROWD stones MRS. A.]
OFFICIAL:
Stop! Stop, will you?! Stop that! Stop it! Now, look! No one is to stone anyone until I blow this whistle!
Do you understand?! Even, and I want to make this absolutely clear, even if they do say ‘Jehovah’.
CROWD:
Ooooooh!…
[CROWD stones OFFICIAL]
WOMAN #1:
Good shot!
[clap clap clap]
Considering that R’ Menachem Mann Shach called Steinsaltz a kofer, isn’t the whole Sanhedrin a slap in the face to B’nei Brak and Ponevitch?