By how many votes must a Sanhedrin majority exceed to convict in a capital case?
Capital cases require a majority of two to convict, whereas financial cases require only a majority of one. This extra margin protects against close calls resulting in execution.
Question 2
Why may capital cases not be tried on a Friday?
If a person is convicted on Friday, execution cannot happen on Shabbat, and leaving a condemned person over Shabbat to delay execution is forbidden. Therefore the trial simply cannot begin then.
Question 3
In capital cases, which statement is true about a judge who argued for acquittal?
A judge who argued for acquittal during deliberations may only switch to a conviction vote at the final verdict stage — not during the give-and-take discussion.
Question 4
What unique rule applies to the mesit (inciter to idolatry) that is REVERSED from normal capital case procedures?
Normally, a capital acquittal cannot be revisited. But for the mesit, if he was acquitted and new conviction evidence emerges, he is retried. The Torah treats inciters to idolatry with exceptional severity.
Question 5
Who is NOT eligible to serve as a judge in capital cases?
Capital cases may only be judged by Kohanim, Levites, and Israelites with lineage acceptable to marry into the priesthood. A mamzer — though eligible for financial cases — is disqualified from capital courts.