Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets

Elect-A-Nasi
Whomever receives the largest amount of the following questions correctly will be elected the JconnecT Nasi for each of our two groups (2 Nesiim): 1. What three things is a father obligated to TEACH his son, according to the Mishna below? A father is obligated to do the following for his son: to circumcise him, to redeem him if he is a first born, to teach him Torah, to find him a wife, and to teach him a trade. Others say: teaching him how to swim as well." (Kiddushin 29a)

. :" , , "

2. What were we commanded to do when we got to Israel?

: ( :) " : : ' , , 3. Looking at the chart of ancient writing below, describe what Hebrew letters were based on: (ask for clue and I will chat you one, which costs one point)

Page 1

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets

4. Identify the following images:

Page 2

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets

a.

b.

Page 3

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets

c.

d.

e.

Page 4

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets 1.

Skit 1: Breaks Can Be Dangerous 4 volunteers from Ancient

Group needed to play the following parts: Yehuda, Neighbor Yaakov, Hadas, Hadas as narr

Hadas as narr: Wait till you hear you what happened last week! Neighbor Yaakov: Hadas, can you watch my sheep when you take yours out to graze? I will pay you 5 shekel. Hadas: ! Neighbor Yaakov: My sheep are spotted; you can tell them apart from yours. Hadas: No problem. Hadas as Narr: I went out with my brother, Yehudah, to graze the sheep. Then I saw some of my friends swimming in the maayan! Yehuda, watch the sheep for me! Yehuda: What? Hadas: Bye! Ill be in the maayan with my friends! Yehuda: Where? Hadas as narr: I took off with my friends and left Yehudah in charge. Later, when I got back. Hadas: Yehuda! Where are the neighbors sheep???? Yehuda: (playing five stones) What sheep? Hadas: They got lost? Oh, Yehuda, that was so irresponsible! Neighbor Yaakov: You lost my sheep? You will have to pay me for them. And I want my five shekels back. Hadas as Narr (groaning): We will be meeting about it at Sha'ar Ha'ir next week. 8. WHO IS LIABLE? :

,1 ,2 3
Page 5

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets

.4
Tosefta Bava Metzia 3:1

1 The borrower is not permitted to lend it, and the renter is not permitted to rent it (to someone else); 2 And the borrower is not permitted to rent it (to someone else), and the renter is not permitted to lend it; 3 And a person with whom it is left (to watch) is not permitted to leave it with someone else 4 unless the owner gave permission.

9.

Skit II: Water from the Spring: A Slippery Slope

Four volunteers needed from the Modern Group 2011 for this skit. Hadas as Narr, Hadas, Yehuda, Miriam Hadas as Narr: About three weeks ago, I went to draw water from the maayan. On the way home I tripped! The pitcher broke and water spilled everywhere! I was covered in mud! Hadas: Ema had just washed my dress; she is NOT going to be happy. Yehuda! Im all dirty, and need to get another pitcher. Im going home to tell Ima. Pick up the pieces of the pitcher. Yehuda: You broke it! You pick it up! Hadas as Narr: I ran home. In the meantime Miriam: Oh, hello, Yehuda! Are you grazing your sheep today? Yehuda: No, I went to get water from the maayan with Hadas. But she broke it and got dirty. You should be.. OOPS Miriam (tripped): My new cloak! Look, its all muddy now! Shame! And the seam is ripped! My father just bought this for me from a merchant from Babylon! It cost a fortune! He will be very angry with you! Yehuda: Umsorry? Ill go get Hadas. Miriam: Yehuda, come back here! You will have to pay for this! Yehuda: Hey, its not my fault (this time)! Hadas did it!

Page 6

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets Hadas as Narr: Miriams cloak were ruined by the mud, and ripped on the pieces of the .Her family wanted me to pay for them, and we had to go to Sha'ar Ha'ir to have the judge make a decision. 9) Who is liable? Decide with your group the decision you think will be made in Shaar Ha-ir based on the Mishna below.

, , , . , , . , , : ., , ,

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

If a persons pitcher breaks in a public place, and someone slips on the water or is injured by the broken pieces, he (the owner of the pitcher), is responsible.

Social Justice Activity

Divide into: Each team is divided in two: Hadas vs. Yehuda Hadas vs. Miriam Each representative appoints one leader Variables Hadas is 12, Yehuda is 8 Hadas is 8, Yehuda is 12 3 judges Read Mishna carefully Step 1 Prepare your side of the story in two-three sentences, based on the Mishna, proving why you are right, to the judges.

Step 2 Nasi from each side presents their side of the story to the judges in

You will hear both sides of the story and deliver the final judgement.

Conclusion

Page 7

Justice in Ancient Israel: JconnecT Sanhedrin Meets

10.
times?

How did people decide on a law in ancient times? How do they decide in modern

Modern Government

Jewish Law

Ancient Babylonian law

Page 8