#sanhedrin

[The Sages taught: If ten people struck an individual with ten sticks and as a result of the beating he died, whether they beat him simultaneously, or whether they beat him one after the other, they are exempt from liability for killing him, as two people are not liable for an action that they performed together. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says: If they struck him one after the other, the one who struck him last is liable, because he hastened his death.]

Ian Sanders

Researching the line, presented as quoted from the Talmud, mentioned at the end of 'Schindler's List', "Who saves one life saves the world entire", I found this:

"For this reason man was created alone, to teach you that whoever destroys a single soul, he is guilty as though he had destroyed a complete world; and whoever preserves a single soul, it is as though he had preserved a whole world."

~ Sanhedrin 37a (Talmud).

And also, interestingly:

"On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person- unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land- it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our Messengers with Clear Signs, yet, even after that, many of then continued to commit excesses in the land."

Ceremonial clothes of the great Rabbi Yossef David Sintzheim at the Grand Sanhedrin of Napoleon in 1807.

The Grand Sanhedrin was a Jewish high court convened in Europe by Napoleon to give legal sanction to the principles expressed by an assembly of Jewish notables in answer to the twelve questions submitted to it by the government. The name was chosen to imply that the Grand Sanhedrin had the authority of the original Sanhedrin that had been the main legislative and judicial body of the Jewish people in classical antiquity and late antiquity.

Yossef David Sintzheim was the chief rabbi of Strasbourg, president of Napoleon’s Sanhedrin, and one of the most famous French rabbis under Napoleon I.

He was the first chief rabbi of France and his burial in the Père Lachaise cemetery attests to his importance in the eyes of his generation. Himself from a line of rabbis, he devoted his life to study, married Cerf Berr’s sister around 1765 and in 1785 became rector of the Yeshivah of Bischheim. Forced to flee during the Terror, he subsequently became rabbi of Strasbourg and after being designated to participate in the assembly of notables convened by Napoleon in 1806, he was named president of Napoleon’s Sanhedrin. The inventory of Sintzheim’s effects at his death lists four rabbi’s robes, one in silk and the others velvet, as well as 2 horned hats. Its owner, Rabbi Nathan Rephael Auerbach, a direct descendant of Yossef David Sintzheim, attested that these clothes were passed down from generation to generation until they reached him.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. — Mark 15:1-15 | English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 5:22; Matthew 20:19; Matthew 27:1; Matthew 27:11-12; Matthew 27:15; Mark 10:1; Luke 23:2,3 and 4; Luke 23:18-19; Luke 23:25; John 19:16; Acts 3:14; Acts 13:28

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