The Great Sanhedrin II

Bírósági eljárás és ítélkezés

Abstract

The first name of the main political and judicial body of the state, Gerousia (council of elders, senate), comes from Persian times, so it is much earlier than the name Sanhedrin. It was made up of senior, authoritative priests who did not have fully defined powers of deliberation, decision-making and judgment. Originally, it was probably not a regularly established body of authority, but only an occasional synod, convened on special occasions to discuss important questions or issue decrees on religious life.

In addition to the Great Sanhedrin, there were two other courts: small sanhedrins (in every city) and the smallest collegial body consisting of three people, the beth din.