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In Search of the Sanhedrin Tour

Special Themed Tour – In Search of the Sanhedrin

The Book of Deuteronomy states that in cases of legal issues that are not solved in the municipal court, one should appeal to a higher court – “If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults—take them to the place the LORD your God will choose. ⁹Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.” (Deut. 17:8-9).

Such a higher court is not documented in the Old Testament, but in the Second Temple to Talmudic Periods (5^th century BCE to 5^th Century CE), it was called “Sanhedrin“. it consisted of a lower court, made of 23 members, and a higher court, consisting 71 members. The head of the higher court was a Nassi. In the time of the temple it was occasionally the high priest, and at times it was the king. During the period of the Temple, the higher court could only assemble in the “Hall of hewn stones,” which was in the temple. After the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, the Sanhedrin was resumed. It first operated in Yavne, and later in Usha, Sheferam, Beth-Shearim, Sepphoris, and Tiberias. The Sanhedrin was disbanded around 425 CE by the Byzantine Christian Authorities, and never resumed.

Evidence of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem?

Next to the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount, a massive scale stone structure was uncovered in the 1970’s. Next to it, a fragment of a lapidary inscription was uncovered, mentioning “elders.” This led some scholars to suggest that the building was used for the lower Sanhedrin court.It is also possible that one of the halls uncovered in the Herodian Quarter was used for Sanhedrin assemblies. In fact, perhaps it was part of a mansion of one of the High Priests.

The Sanhedrin in Beth-Shearim

In the lower Galilee site of Beth-Shearim, a tri-apsidal stone structure was found in the southern part of the site. A Jewish ritual bath (miqveh) was also installed in the corner. In the official publications of the site it is labeled as an ancient synagogue, but it is also quite possible that it was also designed for assemblies of the Sanhedrin.

A Sanhedrin Prison in Tiberias?

tiberias-sanhedrin-prison In the 1990s, in the archaeological park of Tiberias, Prof. Yizhar Hirschfeld uncovered a Byzantine era public building. Some of its rooms were on a lower level. At the time of its discovery, Hirschfeld speculated that this may have been the assembly house of the Sanhedrin when operating in Tiberias. The lower rooms, he suggested, were prison cells. This opinion is no longer popular as there is no further evidence at the site to support this theory.

What’s included

Guiding done by a licensed and expert private guide
Transportation in luxury level van or SUV
Pick-up and drop-off at any address
Free Wi-Fi and chilled bottled mineral water

What’s excluded

Site entrance fees
Meals and snacks
Gratuities

What to bring

Hat and sunscreen
Modest clothing if visiting holy sites (no shorts or bare shoulders)
Some cash

Email or contact us to inquire more about this special private tour – in Search of the Sanhedrin:

Our tour days with Danny were outstanding— so enlightening; the bat mitzvah also went absolutely great, and since that was the main purpose of the trip, we are ecstatic to have accomplished our goal.

Sam P,. USA

We have really enjoyed our time with you.. I learned so much from your explanations… I really think I will remember this trip forever. Todah Rabbah!

Dorit Sh., USA

I wanted to thank you for making our first trip to Israel such a spectacular one… You were the perfect guide... You really made the Bible come to life…

Jennifer and Stuart Z., USA

Not only are you a great maggid of the history of the Jewish people and their homeland but you are an awesome photographer. I know that the trip is not over, but it has already exceeded our expectations.

Cliff K., USA