For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 10
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As we learned in the first Mishna in Massekhet Sanhedrin, different courts were established to deal with different types of cases, with courts of three, 23 or 71 depending on the case.
One situation where we find a disagreement relates to ibur shana – establishing a leap year in the Jewish calendar. When discussing ibur shana, Rabbi Meir rules that a court of three judges suffices; according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel they begin deliberations with three, debate the matter with five, and conclude with seven judges. Nevertheless, if the decision was made with three judges it will also suffice.
We explore the Halacha of ibur hachodesh.