Translation:Mishnah/Seder Nezikin/Tractate Sanhedrin/Chapter 1/3

Introduction

Sanhedrin deals primarily with the court. It presents three courts, a Bet Din of 3, a court of 23, and a larger court known as the "sanhedrin" made up of 71 judges in capital cases. The first chapter of Sanhedrin is focused on how many judges are needed for different cases, capital and non-capital.

The third mishnah of this chapter is readable as a continuation of the first and second and appears as such in some early manuscripts.

Hebrew Text

סמיכת זקנים ועריפת עגלה, בשלשה, דברי רבי מאיר.

ורבי יהודה אומר, בחמשה.

חליצה ומיאונין , בשלשה.

ההקדשות, בשלשה.

נטע רבעי ומעשר שני שאין דמיו ידועין, בשלשה.

הערכין המטלטלין, בשלשה.

רבי יהודה אומר, אחד מהן כהן.

והקרקעות, תשעה וכהן.

ואדם, כיוצא בהן.

English Translation

The laying of the hands by the elders, and the breaking of the neck of the heifer (should be judged) with three (judges), such are the words of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says, with five. Levirate nullification and nullification of youth betrothal, with three. Dedication (for the Temple), with three. Fourth year produce or the second tithe with unknown value, with three. Payment for a vow with movable property, with three. Rabbi Yehuda says: one must be a priest. With immovable property, nine and a priest. With a man, we take it from this.

Explanation

This is a continuation of cases requiring three judges, each of which alludes to biblical laws. Here is a brief explanation of these laws:
Laying of the hands by the elders and the breaking of the neck of the heifer - In a sin offering, for atonement of a public sin with an unknown sinner, the elders of the town where the sin occurred (for example if a murder were discovered but the murderer never found) lay their hands on the head of a heifer pouring the sin onto the animal, and then break its neck.
Levirate nullification - When a man dies and leaves a widow but he has not yet born children, the responsibility to bear heirs falls to the nearest of kin to the man. [This is called Levirate marriage.] If the man and widow choose not to fulfill this responsibility, he may take off his sandal and the widow spits in the sandal.
Nullification of youth betrothal - A girl may be betrothed before her 12th birthday, as a promised bride. If, however, she does not want to marry the man, she may nullify this anytime after reaching the age of 12 and before the marriage.
Fourth year produce or the second tithe with unknown value - The produce of the fourth year of a fruit-producing tree belongs to the priests, as does the second tithe on agriculture. Often this is paid with the value of the goods instead of the goods themselves. If the value of the goods is unknown, a ruling must take place on their value.