Rosh Hashanah, Chapter 2

Check all the ways in which the procedure of the new moon used to work, but no longer did by the time of the Mishnah.

• The Beit Din would send out messengers to inform of the new month

• Torches were lit on top of Mountains to inform of the new month

• The Beit Din would tell the heads of communities to spread around to their community members

• The Beit Din used to trust all witnesses that came to serve

 

Check all the ways in which the procedure of the new moon worked by the time of the Mishnah.

• Only people whom the beit din knew could serve as witnesses to the new month

• The bet din would send out a mass email

• The Beit Din would send out messengers to various communities to inform of the new month

• The Beit Din would blow shofars to inform of the new month

What things were done to ensure that witnesses would continue to come to testify? (Check all that apply.)

• The Beit Din would hear testimony from all the pairs of witnesses

• There were famous people waiting to greet the witnesses

• There were large meals available for all the witnesses

• There were lots of games for the witnesses to play

What takkana (decree) did Rabban Gamliel introduce to ensure that witnesses would come to testify?

• That all the witnesses should be interviewed

• That the witnesses who traveled on shabbat were allowed to still walk around

• That the witnesses who came to testify were permitted to eat non-kosher food

What does להתכנס mean?

• To supply

• To endure

• To testify

• To gather

In what ways did the beit din "check" the witnesses?

• They asked questions to the witnesses about what the moon looked like

• They checked all their pockets to make sure they hadn't carried anything on shabbat.

• They asked them to draw a picture of the moon.

• They asked them to put on a skit about the moon.

What does R Elazar say should be done if the month is not sanctified in time?

• The whole year has to be re-counted!

• No worries -- the month will be sanctified by שמים

• The chagim should therefore be practiced at the incorrect time

Did Rabbi Yehoshua "break" Yom Kippur?

• Yes!!

• No!!

• I don't know!!

Who's ready for the next round of Mishnah club?

• ME!!!

• Can't wait!!!

• Why do I have to wait 2 and a half weeks for more mishnah club?!?!