Sanhedrin

A difference of opinion is expressed by R. Tanhum b. Hanilai, who says that the verse quoted  refers only to the story of the golden calf, as it is written: And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it.  What did he actually see? — R. Benjamin b. Japhet says, reporting R. Eleazar: He saw Hur lying slain before him and said [to himself]: If I do not obey them, they will now do unto me as they did unto Hur, and so will be fulfilled [the fear of] the prophet, Shall the Priest and the Prophet be slain in the Sanctuary of God?  and they will never find forgiveness. Better let them worship the golden calf, for which offence they may yet find forgiveness through repentance. And how do those other Tannaim, who allow a settlement even when a case has been heard, interpret the verse: The beginning of strife is as one that letteth out water?  They interpret it as does R. Hamnuna. For R. Hamnuna says: The first matter for which a man is called to give account in the Hereafter is regarding the study of the Torah, as it is said: The beginning of judgment  concerns the letting out of water. R. Huna says [with reference to this verse]: Strife is compared to an opening made by a rush of water that widens as the water presses through it. Abaye the Elder  says: Strife is like the planks of a wooden bridge; the longer they lie, the firmer they grow. ('Mnemonic: Hear, And Two, Seven, Songs, Another.)  There was a man who used to say: Happy is he who hears abuse of himself and ignores it; for a hundred evils pass him by. Samuel said to Rab Judah: This is alluded to in the verse: He who letteth out water [of strife] causeth the beginning of madon  [the numerical value of which is a hundred].  that is, the beginning of a hundred strifes. Again, there was a man who used to say: Do not be surprised if a thief goes unhanged for two or three thefts; he will be caught in the end. Samuel said to Rab Judah: This is alluded to in the verse: Thus saith the Lord: for three transgressions of Judah, but for four I will not reverse it  [i.e. My judgment]. Another used to say: Seven pits lie open for the good man [but he escapes]; for the evil-doer there is only one, into which he falls. This, said Samuel to Rab Judah, is alluded to in the verse: The righteous man falleth seven times and riseth up again. Yet another used to say: Let him who comes from a court that has taken from him his cloak sing his song and go his way.  Said Samuel to Rab Judah: This is alluded to in the verse, And all this people also [i.e. including the losers] shall come to their place in peace. There was yet another who used to say: When a woman slumbers the [working] basket drops off her head.  Said Samuel to Rab Judah: This is alluded to in the verse, By slothfulness the rafters sink in. Another man used to say: The man on whom I relied shook his fist at me.  Samuel said to Rab Judah: This is alluded to in the verse: Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted and who did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Another used to say: When love  was strong, we could have made our bed on a sword-blade; now that our love has grown weak, a bed of sixty [cubits] is not large enough for us. Said R. Huna: This is alluded to in the verses: Of the former age [when Israel was loyal to God] it is said: And I will meet with thee and speak with three from above the ark-cover;  and further it is taught: The Ark measured nine hand-breadths high and the cover one hand-breadth, i.e. ten in all. Again it is written: As for the House which King Solomon built for the Lord, the length thereof was three score cubits, the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.  But of the latter age [when they had forsaken God] it is written: Thus saith the Lord, The Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool. Where is the house that ye may build unto me? What evidence is there that the verb taguru [translated 'be afraid'] can also be rendered 'gather in'?  R. Nahman answered by quoting the verse: Thou shalt neither drink of the wine nor gather [te'egor] the grapes.R. Aha b. Jacob says that it can be proved from the following verse: Provideth her bread in the summer and gathereth [agerah] her food in the harvest.  R. Aha the son of R. Ika says it can be derived from the following verse: A wise son gathereth [oger] in summer. (Mnemonic: Truth, Money, Shall See.) R. Nahman said, reporting R. Jonathan: A judge who delivers a judgment in perfect truth  causes the Shechinah to dwell in Israel, for it is written: God standeth in the Congregation of God; in the midst of the judges He judgeth.  And he who does not deliver judgments in perfect truth causes the Shechinah to depart from the midst of Israel, for it is written: Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord. Again. R. Samuel b. Nahmani, reporting R. Jonathan. said: A judge who unjustly takes the possessions  of one and gives then to another, the Holy One, blessed be He, takes from him his life, for it is written: Rob not the poor because he is poor; neither oppress the afflicted in the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause, and will despoil of life those that despoil them. R. Samuel b. Nahmani further said, reporting R. Jonathan: A judge should always think of  himself as if he had a sword hanging over his head  and Gehenna  gaping under him,