Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin was an ancient Jewish council that served as a religious, legal, and political authority in Judea during the Second Temple period. Comprised of 71 members, including priests, elders, and scholars, it was responsible for interpreting Jewish law, making judicial decisions, and governing communal matters. The Sanhedrin had the authority to judge serious offenses, including some capital cases. Its influence diminished after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, but it remains a significant symbol of Jewish legal tradition and governance in historical contexts.