Kiddushin - Daf 76
- Investigating the lineage of a potential wife
The next Mishnah states: הנושא אשה כהנת – One who wishes to marry a woman who is a Koheness, צריך לבדוק אחריה ארבע אמהות שהן שמנה – he must investigate four of her mothers (female ancestors), as well as their mothers (to determine if any is forbidden to the congregation), which is eight altogether, as the Mishnah delineates. A daughter of a Levi or Yisroel requires investigating another generation. The Mishnah then lists several positions that their holders do not require investigations into their ancestors, because they are only given to those of pure lineage. The Gemara explains that male ancestors are not investigated, because when men quarrel, they make accusations of impure lineage, so any possible issue would be widely known (as opposed to women, who accuse each other of immorality). A potential husband does not require investigation, because לא הוזהרו כשרות לינשא לפסולים – genealogically fit [Kohanos] were not prohibited from marrying those unfit for Kehunah. Similarly, the Rabbis did not require women to investigate possible mamzerus. Later, the Gemara says that although Rebbe Meir requires investigation in all cases, the Chachomim only require it כשקורא עליו ערער – when [her lineage] was contested.
- The requirement of pure lineage for members of Sanhedrin
The Mishnah taught that the ancestors of a member of Sanhedrin do not require investigation. The reason is: כשם שבית דין מנוקין בצדק – Just as Beis Din must be clean in justice, כך מנוקין מכל מום – so they must be clean from any genealogical blemish. A source is brought from a passuk alluding to Sanhedrin: "כולך יפה רעיתי ומום אין בך" – you are entirely beautiful, My friend, and there is no blemish in you. When the Gemara asks that this may mean a physical blemish, another source is brought from when Hashem said to Moshe: והתיצבו שם עמך – and [the members of Sanhedrin] will stand with you, עמך בדומים לך – “with you” implies they must be similar to you, i.e., with pure lineage. The Gemara persists that perhaps only that Sanhedrin required pure lineage because of the Shechinah, since they were to receive prophecy!? Rav Nachman concludes with Yisro’s advice to Moshe: והקל מעליך ונשאו אתך – and the burden will be lightened from upon you, and they will bear it “with you,” implying בדומים לך – judges who are similar to you, with pure lineage.
- Positions of authority for converts
The host of Rav Adda bar Ahava, who was a convert’s son, was arguing with Rav Bivi about which of them should run the town’s affairs. Rav Yosef quoted a Baraisa: the passuk says, "שום תשים עליך...מלך מקרב אחיך" – you shall appoint over yourselves a king…who is from your brothers’ midst, teaching כל משימות שאתה משים – all appointments you make, even minor ones, לא יהיה אלא מקרב אחיך – may only be of one who is from your brothers’ midst. The host was therefore disqualified. Rav Adda bar Ahava asked Rav Yosef if this holds true for a convert’s son, who mother is a Jewess, and he responded that this constitutes “your brothers’ midst.” Therefore, Rav Bivi (who was a great man) should manage the spiritual needs of the town, and the host should manage its physical needs. Abaye commented that if one takes a Rabbinic scholar into his inn, he should take someone like Rav Adda, who knows how to argue in his favor. Rebbe Zeira and Rabbah bar Abuha would deal respectfully with children of converts and put them in positions of authority, but in Eretz Yisroel, they would not even appoint them inspector of measures, and in Nehardea, they would not be appointed even as a supervisor of irrigation.
