Jewish Courts and their Constitution.

G. [The Sanhedrin was composed of 71 members.  If an Israelite had a point of law to decide, he first proposed it to the Court which met in his own city.  If they failed to decide the matter, it was submitted to the judgment of the Court of the next city.  If the Justices of the immediate district failed to come to a decision, the case was laid before the Court which met at the entrance of the Temple area.  In the event of their failing to decide, they appealed to the Court which met at the entrance to the ante-court.  Failure in this Court was followed by an appeal to the Supreme Court of 71, where the matter was finally disposed of by a majority of votes.

The Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle in order that the members might be able to see one another.  There were two notaries, one on the right and the other on the left, to count the “Ayes” and “Noes” in all cases of voting.]

The authorship of the BOOK OF EZRA.

G. [The Book of Ezra was written by Nehemiah.  He does not attach his name to it because he gave too much attention to his own merits, as it is written (Neh. v, 19) “Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for my people.”

5.  TREATISE ON IDOLATRY (Aboda Zara).  No. 8 in order.

M.  It is forbidden to have any dealings with non-Jews for three days before they hold their unholy festivals (23).  One must not lend them any money, for that could be useful to them in preparing for the festival.  Nor must one borrow from them, for they would gain thereby and be more able, out of the interest, to meet the expenses of their coming feasts.  Similarly, one must not pay them any money, even though due, nor in return must payment be received.

Rabbi Jehuda, however, maintains that payment should be allowed because that is a displeasure and a disadvantage to those who pay.

M.  When there is an idol in the city one may go to that city, providing that the road does not lead to the idol alone.  Jews are not allowed to sell to non-Jews any of the following things, because they can be used for purposes of heathen worship:—­Fir cones, white figs, or their stems, frankincense, and a white cock.  A white cock may, however, be sold if one of its claws has been cut off, since non-Jews do not sacrifice an animal when an organ is lacking.

THE BOOK OF YASHAR (see 2nd Sam. i, 18).

G.  What is meant by the Book of Yashar?  Rabbi Khyiah bar Abba on the authority of Rabbi Jokhanan says “It is the book of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they being called righteous (yesharim), and concerning whom it is written, Numb, xxiii, 10, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous’” (yesharim).

6.  TREATISE CALLED “SENTENCES OF THE FATHERS” (Heb. Pirga Abot).  No. 9 in order.

[This treatise, on which no Gemara has been handed down, contains moral precepts, aphorisms, and so forth, of the elder Tannain.  It has been often translated, an excellent rendering by the late Dr. Charles Taylor having been published by the Cambridge Press.]