Sanhedrin

Rab Judah said in Rab's name: A Sanhedrin must not be established in a city which does not contain [at least] two who can speak [the seventy languages] and one who understands them. In the city of Bethar there were three and in Jabneh four [who knew how to speak them]: [viz.,] R. Eliezer, R. Joshua. R. Akiba, and Simeon the Temanite, who used to discuss before them sitting on the ground. An objection is raised: A Sanhedrin that has three  [able to speak the seventy languages] is wise [capable]; if four,  it is of the highest standard possible.  — He  holds the same view as the Tanna [of the following Baraitha]: It has been taught: With two, [the Sanhedrin is] wise [capable]; with three, it reaches the highest standard possible. [The following rules apply throughout the Talmud: The statement,] 'It was argued before the Sages,' refers to Levi who argued before Rabbi. 'It was discussed before the Sages,' refers to Simeon b. Azzai, Simeon b. Zoma, Hanan the Egyptian, and Hanania b. Hakinai.  R. Nahman b. Isaac taught that there were five: the three Simeons,  Hanan [the Egyptian] and Hanania [b. Hakinai]. 'Our Rabbis in Babylon' refers to Rab and Samuel. 'Our Rabbis in Eretz Yisrael', to R. Abba. 'The judges of the Exile', to Karna. 'The judges of Eretz Yisrael', to R. Ammi and R. Assi. 'The judges of Pumbeditha', to R. Papa b. Samuel, 'The judges of Nehardea', to R. Adda bar Minyomi. 'The elders of Sura', to R. Huna and R. Hisda. 'The elders of Pumbeditha', to Rab Judah and R. 'Aina. 'The keen intellects of Pumbeditha', to 'Efa and Abimi, sons of Rehabah. 'The Amoraim of Pumbeditha', to Rabbah and R. Joseph. 'The Amoraim of Nehardea', to R. Hama. [Where we read,] 'Those of Neharbelai  taught,' it refers to Rammi b. Berabi. 'They said in the School of Rab', refers to R. Huna. But did not R. Huna himself say, 'They said in the School of Rab'? — R. Hamnuna is therefore the one referred to. 'They said in the West',  refers to R. Jeremiah. 'A message was sent from Palestine,'  to R. Jose b. Hanina. 'They laughed at it in the West', to R. Eleazar. But do we not read: 'A message was sent from Palestine: according to R. Jose b. Hanina …'?  — Therefore reverse it: 'A message was sent from Palestine' refers to R. Eleazar; 'They laughed at it in the West', to R. Jose b. Hanina. WHAT MUST THE POPULATION OF A CITY BE IN ORDER THAT IT MAY QUALIFY FOR A SANHEDRIN? A HUNDRED AND TWENTY, etc. What is the reason for that NUMBER?  — Twenty-three, corresponding to the number of the minor Sanhedrin, and three rows of twenty-three,  make ninety-two. Adding the ten 'batlanim'  of the Synagogue, we have a hundred and two. Then, a further two clerks,  two sheriffs,  two litigants, two witnesses, two zomemim,  and two to refute the zomemim,  gives a hundred and fourteen in all. Moreover, it has been taught: A scholar should not reside in a city where the following ten things are not found: A court of justice that imposes flagellation and decrees penalties; a charity fund  collected by two and distributed by three;  a Synagogue; public baths; a convenience; a circumciser; a surgeon, a notary;  a slaughterer  and a school-master.  R. Akiba is quoted [as including] also several kinds of fruit [in the list], because these are beneficial  to the eyesight. R. NEHEMIA SAYS, [TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY etc.]. It has been taught: Rabbi said: