Jewish Leadership Struggle in the Roman Era part 3

The incident of Rabbi Eliezer's rejection of a decision of the Sanhedrin, resulted in essentially ending the career of one of the best and brightest Talmudic figures, but the Sanhedrin's authority was certainly enhanced. There were to be two further challenges that would soon change the entire system, for the betterment of Judaism. Both of these challenges came from the same man, Rabbi Joshua. (You will note that the protagonists in this drama are the very rabbis who feature prominently in the Haggadah of Passover). One of the most central responsibilities of the Sanhedrin was fixing the calendar. The first of every Hebrew month occurs at the sighting of the first sliver of the New Moon. This occurs in some months after twenty-nine days of the old month, in others after the thirtieth. Witnesses must come before the Sanhedrin, and testify to its sighting, with the Sanhedrin then declaring it sanctified. There were, however, various heretical groups that would send false witnesses, in order to undermine Jewish observance. The Sanhedrin would need to examine the witnesses, to see if they were reliable and if their sighting of the Moon fit known astronomical facts. (When Byzantine Christian persecution became very strong in the fourth century, resulting in the disbanding of the Sanhedrin, and the death of most of the rabbis, one of their last acts was to make a fixed, mathematical calendar, sanctifying all New Moons until a new Sanhedrin could arise). Once, witnesses came to report the sighting of the New Moon and were examined by Rabban Gamliel. He declared them valid, and the New Moon was sanctified. Several members of the Sanhedrin felt that he was not correct in accepting their testimony, as the astronomical facts did not bear out what they had said. Although these rabbis disagreed, they went along with the ruling. Rabbi Joshua accepted the view of the dissidents and ruled in accordance with this dissenting view. This was no minor issue, as the month was the holiday-laden month of Tishri. The proper observance of Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot were at stake. Rabban Gamliel saw great danger in Rabbi Joshua's stand, A great schism was about to occur, with some Jews observing the holidays on one day, and others observing them the next day. Rabban Gamliel, with all the powers of the Nasi, ordered Rabbi Joshua to appear before him on the Yom Kippur according to the calculation of Rabbi Joshua, carrying his walking stick and money bag, thereby desecrating the holiest day of the year in Rabbi Joshua's calculation. Rabbi Joshua became despondent. Rabbi Akiva had a talk with him. Unlike Shabbat, which occurs every seven days regardless of what humans do or don't do, the New Moons are fixed and sanctified by the Sanhedrin, whether rightly or wrongly. Therefore, even if Rabban Gamliel is mistaken in this case, his declaration is what fixes the New Moon, not the astronomy. After all, the Torah states "these are the holidays you shall proclaim". YOU shall proclaim, whether right or wrong. (This is why in the amidah and kiddush of Shabbat, we say "Blessed are you, who sanctifies the Shabbat", but on holidays, we say "...who sanctifies Israel and the festivals". Shabbat is not dependent on Israel, holidays are.) Rabbi Joshua felt better about the situation and made the appearance before Rabban Gamliel. Rabban Gamliel kissed him on his head and said "Come in peace, my teacher and my disciple; my teacher in wisdom, but my disciple in accepting my words." A schism was avoided...for now. The unity of the Sanhedrin was maintained. But grumblings were heard at the public shaming of a great man. This was not yet over.