Horayot

IF THE COURT RULED [ERRONEOUSLY] AND SEVEN TRIBES OR A MAJORITY OF THEM  ACTED ACCORDINGLY, A BULLOCK IS TO BE BROUGHT; AND IN RESPECT OF IDOLATRY, A BULLOCK AND A GOAT MUST BE BROUGHT; THESE ARE THE WORDS OF R. MEIR. R. JUDAH SAID: THE SEVEN TRIBES WHO SINNED MUST BRING SEVEN BULLOCKS AND THE REST OF THE TRIBES WHO DID NOT SIN MOST BRING BULLOCK[S]  (IN THEIR ACCOUNT, BECAUSE EVEN THOSE WHO DID NOT SIN MUST BRING OFFERINGS ON ACCOUNT OF THESE WHO SINNED. R. SIMEON SAID: EIGHT BULLOCKS; AND IN RESPECT OF IDOLATRY, EIGHT BULLOCKS AND EIGHT GOATS, A BULLOCK AND A GOAT FOR EVERY TRIBE AND A BULLOCK AND A GOAT FOR THE COURT. IF THE COURT OF ONE OF THE TRIBES RULED [ERRONEOUSLY], AND THAT TRIBE ACTED ACCORDINGLY, THAT TRIBE IS LIABLE, BUT ALL THE OTHER TRIBES ARE EXEMPT; THESE ARE THE WORDS OF R. JUDAH. BUT THE SAGES SAY: NO LIABILITY IS INCURRED EXCEPT AS A RESULT OF THE RULINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT ONLY; FOR IT IS STATED, AND IF THE WHOLE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL SHALL ERR,  BUT NOT THE CONGREGATION OF ONE PARTICULAR TRIBE. GEMARA. Our Rabbis taught: It might have been assumed that, if it had come to the knowledge of the court that a ruling of theirs was erroneous and they had forgotten what the ruling was,  they are liable,  hence it was expressly stated, When the salt was known,  [implying] not, however, when only those who sinned were known. Wherein they have sinned  [implies that] if two tribes had sinned they must bring two bullocks,  if three had sinned three have to be brought. But is it not possible that this only means  that if two individuals had sinned they bring two bullocks, if three had sinned they bring three? It was expressly stated. The congregation,  [showing that] only a congregation is liable, and that every congregation  is liable. How? If two tribes sinned they bring two bullocks, if seven sinned they bring seven, and also the other tribes who did not sin bring each a bullock on account of the former,  because even those who bad not sinned must bring sin offerings, because of those who sinned — Hence Scripture stated, 'congregation', in order to impose the obligation upon every congregation: these are the words of R. Judah. R. Simeon said: If seven tribes sinned they bring seven bullocks, and the court also brings a bullock on account of them, for 'congregation' was mentioned below  and 'congregation' was also mentioned above,  as 'congregation' that was mentioned above means both the court and the congregation  so 'congregation' that was mentioned below means both the court and the congregation. R. Meir said: If seven tribes had sinned the court brings a bullock on their account but they themselves are exempt, for 'congregation' was mentioned below  and 'congregation' was mentioned above,  as 'congregation' that was mentioned above refers to the court and not to the people  so 'congregation' that was mentioned below refers to the court and not to the people. R. Simeon b. Eleazar said in his name: If six tribes had sinned and they  represent a majority of the people, or seven, although they  do not represent a majority of the people, they bring a bullock. The Master said: 'When the sin was known [implying], not, however, when only those who sinned were known'. Who is the author of this statement? — Rab Judah said in the name of Rab (others say Raba): It is not  R. Eliezer, for it was taught:  R. Eliezer said,  'Whatever your assumption [he must bring a sin offering], for if\ he ate the suet he is liable and if he ate the nothar  be is also liable.  R. Ashi said: It may even be said to be R. Eliezer, for here the case is different since it is written, [When the sin] wherein they have sinned [is known]  But surely, there  also it is written, [If he sin], wherein he has sinned, [be known to him]!  — That  is required for the purpose of excluding the case of one who performed a forbidden act while his mention was to perform a different act. What is the reason of R. Judah? — He holds the opinion that 'congregation' was written four times: 'Congregation', the congregation congregation, the congregation.  One of these is to indicate \hat the obligation bring offering falls on every congregation;  one is to indicate that the ruling depends on the court and the action depends on the congregation;  one is to indicate attraction,  and one has reference to a tribe that acted in accordance with the [erroneous] ruling of its own court. And R. Simeon maintains that 'congregation' was written three times: The congregation, congregation, the congregation  because the expression, from the eyes of the congregation is the usual form of Biblical speech — as people say, 'from the eyes of so and so',  one of these  is to indicate that the obligation to bring an offering falls on every congregation.  and the other two [are required for the following deduction]: 'Congregation' was mentioned below and 'congregation' was mentioned above, as below the reference is to the court together with the congregation, so here also it refers to the court together with the congregation. And R. Meir makes no exposition on congregation, the congregation. Consequently, congregation was written only twice, and both are required [for the following deduction]: 'congregation was mentioned below and 'congregation' was mentioned above, as below the reference is to the court and not to the congregation, so here also the reference is to the court and not to the congregation. As to R. Simeon b. Eleazar, what is his reason? It is written, And it shall be it from the eyes of the congregation  which clearly refers to a minority, since it is written, from the eyes,  but it is also written, For in the respect of all the people it was done in error,  which indicates that the reference is only to  a majority and not to a minority; how', then, [are these contradictory deductions to be reconciled]? — If the sin was committed by six tribes who represent the majority of the congregation or by seven, even though they do not comprise a majority of the congregation, they are liable.