Mishneh Torah, Rebels 4-6

Sugya Map

Issue

The precise scope of a Zaken Mamre's liability: Is it confined to direct karet/chatat prohibitions, or does it extend to matters that indirectly affect them?

Nafka Mina(s)

The breadth of the Sanhedrin's authority; the definition of "דבר שזדונו כרת ושגגתו חטאת" (a matter whose willful violation is karet and inadvertent is chatat); and the severity of undermining judicial pesak across diverse halakhic domains.

Primary Sources

Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:1-3; Sifra, Kedoshim 2:10 (implied in the derasha of "לא תסור"); Sanhedrin 87a-88a (as elucidated by Rishonim/Acharonim).

Text Snapshot

"אחד שיתיר הדבר והם אוסרים, או הם מתירים והוא אוסר... אפילו הוא אומר מפי הקבלה קבלתי, והם אומרים מפי הסברא נראה לנו, כיון שחולק ומורה הוראה ועושה מעשה או יורה לאחרים לעשות, הרי זה חייב."¹

"כל דבר שסופו לבוא לידי כרת וחטאת אפילו אחר מאה דברים."²

"חוץ מתפילין בלבד... הלכה למשה מסיני היא."³

Readings

Rambam (MT Hil. Mamrim 4:1-3)

The Rambam offers a remarkably expansive definition of "דבר שזדונו כרת," extending liability far beyond direct prohibitions. He includes Rabbinic decrees safeguarding karet prohibitions (e.g., chametz on 14 Nissan, 6th hour)⁴, and crucially, any matter that leads to karet/chatat, even through a chain of "מאה דברים"⁵ (e.g., monetary disputes affecting kiddushin, tumah/taharah impacting Mikdash entry). This highlights the Sanhedrin's authority to define the very parameters that maintain the integrity of core issurim.

Radvaz (on MT Hil. Mamrim 4:1)

The Radvaz affirms Rambam's inclusion of Rabbinic gezeirot within the Zaken Mamre's scope, noting that such decrees are designed to "להרחיק מאיסור שזדונו כרת"⁶. This emphasizes that the Sanhedrin's legislative power, even in creating "fences," is itself protected by capital punishment, reflecting the gravity of undermining judicial authority in a system built on kabbalah and pesak.

Friction

Kushya

The Gemara in Sanhedrin 87a-b primarily discusses Zaken Mamre in the context of direct issurim. How can Rambam justify extending this so broadly to matters like monetary law or eglah arufah, where the connection to karet is so circuitous, "אפילו אחר מאה דברים"⁷? This seems to stretch the Gemara's intent.

Terutz

Rambam understands the Zaken Mamre not merely as a punishment for a specific transgression, but as upholding the foundational authority of the Sanhedrin Hagadol in all matters impacting the Torah's integrity. Their pesak, whether direct or indirect, defines halakhic reality. Undermining it, even in seemingly distant areas, creates a precedent that could erode the entire framework, ultimately jeopardizing core karet prohibitions. The Sanhedrin's ruling creates a metzi'ut halakhit that must be universally observed.

Intertext

Devarim 17:11

"לֹא תָסוּר מִן הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר יַגִּידוּ לְךָ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל."⁸ This foundational verse for Sanhedrin authority is interpreted by Rambam to encompass all their pronouncements that safeguard the Torah's commandments, regardless of their directness.

Psak/Practice

The Rambam's expansive definition of Zaken Mamre liability underscores a meta-halakhic principle: the absolute and overarching authority of the Sanhedrin Hagadol in shaping halakha. Every pesak, even on seemingly peripheral matters, is integral to maintaining the holistic structure of the Torah. The tefillin exception⁹, a unique Halakha LeMoshe MiSinai, highlights that some halakhot possess an intrinsic, unchallengeable status even beyond the Sanhedrin's interpretative authority.

Takeaway

The Zaken Mamre illustrates the profound interconnectedness of halakha: every pesak of the Sanhedrin is considered critical for preserving the entire Torah framework, particularly those foundational prohibitions carrying the severity of karet.

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1. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:1
2. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:2
3. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:3
4. See Steinsaltz on Mishneh Torah, Rebels 4:1:4, citing Meiri and Radvaz.
5. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:2
6. Radvaz on Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:1
7. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:2
8. Devarim 17:11
9. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 4:3