Rosenzweig Meets Sanhedrin. (Sanhedrin 2)

The first day of my daf yomi experience also happens to coincide with the day I am attempting to write a coherent paper about Franz Rosenzweig. This overwhelming task is influencing, and likely overshadowing my understanding of the opening mishnah of Sanhedrin.

Rosenzweig, attempting to immerse himself in a theology unattached to philosophical reasoning, discusses the "possibility of experiencing miracles" in his introduction to Part II of his book, The Star of Redemption. In this introduction, Rosenzweig explains how, for much of Jewish history, miracles were accepted as reliable and credible, and were not seen as contradictory or a threat to natural law.

The validity of miracles, he explained, relied on judicial proof. Eyewitnesses were needed to confirm both the prediction and fulfillment of the miracle. Rosenzweig says, "Thus the proof of miracles must basically fall back on eyewitnesses. In taking their sworn testimony, their personal credibility will be decisive, as well as the estimate of their capacity for observation, and even their numbers." (The Star of Redemption 96)

The notion of rooting miracles within a judicial system that relies on the subjective reasoning of human beings makes me wonder about the role these courts played in relation to their understanding of God in their world. As we read in the mishnah, the sanhedrin is designated to rule over cases concerning a shevet (tribe), sheker (false prophet) or kohen Gadol (high priest). These three cases could be considered cases dealing with the realm of God and perhaps miracles. In addition to numbers, what is it that gives the sanhedrin greater authority to rule over such cases? According to Rosenzweig, shouldn't each individual self or soul be accorded the authority to witness or experiencing the realm of the divine?

As a reform Jew, I question what it means to experience or witness miracles in my life and as an emerging reform Jewish leader, I constantly struggle with the authority afforded to me as a rabbinic authority and witness in the lives of Jews around me. I'm looking forward to starting this journey though sanhedrin, and exploring the world of the Talmudic judiciary system!

woooo! go team!