Sanhedrin - Daf 13
- Machlokes about עיבור שנה to ensure the autumn תקופה is in "חג האסיף"
A Baraisa presents five opinions about being מעבר the year based on when תקופת תמוז – the summer season ends. The second opinion, Rebbe Yehudah, holds we are מעבר the year if תקופת תמוז extends twenty days into Tishrei. Rebbe Yose says that if the previous winter season extends sixteen days into Nissan, resulting in the summer season extending to the twenty-second day of Tishrei, we are מעבר. They both hold that "חג האסיף תקופת השנה" – and the Festival of Gathering, at the time of the year, requires that at least some of Chol Hamoed Succos (when “gathering” is permitted) falls during תקופת תשרי. Rebbe Yehudah holds יום תקופה גומר – the day of the equinox completes the former season, so if the summer season extends twenty days into Tishrei, and the twenty-first day (the final day of Chol Hamoed) is the equinox, the new season begins on the twenty-second, and עיבור שנה is necessary. Rebbe Yose holds: יום תקופה מתחיל – the day of the equinox begins the new season, so if the day of the equinox would fall on the twenty-first day of Tishrei, they would not extend the year. The Gemara explains that the Tanna Kamma and Rebbe Shimon argue where the season extends sixteen days into Tishrei, because they hold the entire Chol Hamoed must fall during תקופת תשרי, and argue if the יום תקופה is גומר or מתחיל.
- Fifth opinion (fourteen days): תקופת ניסן must fall in the “renewal” of Nissan
In the fifth and final opinion, “Others” say that we are מעבר the year even if the season extends into the minority of the month, fourteen days. Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchak explains that this Tanna is discussing תקופת ניסן – the spring season. He darshens "שמור את חדש האביב" – Guard the month of ripening (Nissan) to teach: שמור אביב של תקופה שיהא בחדש ניסן – guard the “ripening” (spring) season that it should begin during the moon’s renewal in Nissan. That is, the spring season must begin during the first fourteen days of Nissan, while the moon is still being “renewed.” However, because it is possible to simply add one day onto Adar, the Gemara clarifies that this Tanna means that if the season extends beyond fourteen days, we are מעבר the year. Ravina explains this opinion differently: it is discussing the autumn season, but in contrast to the previous Tannaim, this Tanna holds the entire Yom Tov of Succos (not just Chol Hamoed) must fall during the new season. He holds the day of the equinox completes the former season, so if the season extends fourteen days into Tishrei, the new season will begin on the sixteenth.
- סמיכה to be called “Rebbe” and judge קנסות
A Baraisa states that "סמיכה" and "סמיכת זקנים" both require three judges. The latter term refers to the elders on a פר העלם דבר של ציבור, like in our Mishnah, and Rebbe Yochanan explained that the first term means: מיסמך סבי – ordaining elders to call them “Rebbe.” Abaye asked Rav Yosef for the source to require three judges for this process. If we derive it from Moshe leaning his hands on Yehoshua when appointing him the nation’s leader, either a single person should suffice, like Moshe, or the entire Sanhedrin should be required, since Moshe was equal to it!? The Gemara leaves this as a difficulty.
Rav Acha brei d’Rava asked Rav Ashi if the one giving סמיכה must literally lean his hand on the one receiving סמיכה, and he answered: סמכין ליה בשמא – no, they ordain him by giving him a title: קרי ליה רבי – they call him “Rebbe,” ויהבי ליה רשותא למידן דיני קנסות – and they give him permission to judge cases of penalties.
