Sanhedrin 1:3-4

Sanhedrin 1:3

The laying of hands for the sin-offering of the elders and breaking a heifer’s neck in a case of unsolved murder are done by three judges; this is the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Yehuda says that these things require five judges. Chalitzah (the shoe-removal ceremony) and the refusal of a husband by a minor orphan bride who comes of age require three judges. Fourth-year produce and second tithe whose value is unknown require three judges to appraise it, as does consecrated property and the appraisal of movable property (to donate its value). Rabbi Yehuda says that one of the three must be a kohein. The appraisal of land (to donate its value or to redeem from consecration) requires ten, one of whom must be a kohein; the same is true for appraising the value of a human being.

Sanhedrin 1:4

Capital cases are judged by a court of 23 judges. Animals accused of bestiality with a man or a woman are judged by 23, as per Leviticus 20:16 – “You shall execute the woman and the animal” and 20:15 (regarding a man) – “You shall execute the animal.” An ox that is stoned for killing a person is judged by 23 as per Exodus 21:29, “the ox shall be stoned and its owner shall also be executed,” i.e., the death of the ox is like that of its owner. A wolf, lion, bear, leopard, panther or snake (that killed a person) is executed by a court of 23. Rabbi Eliezer says that it is meritorious for a person simply to kill one of these dangerous animals as quickly as possible (without requiring the courts) but Rabbi Akiva says that executing them requires the court of 23 judges.