The True Sanhedrin vs. The Many False \"Sanhedrins\" – A Danger to Torah and Truth Part 3

B"H

Part 7: The Real Sanhedrin – What It Was and How It Will Be Restored

Now that we have debunked the false claims of the Nascent Sanhedrin, it is essential to understand what the real Sanhedrin was, how it functioned, and the true conditions required for its restoration.

1. What Was the Sanhedrin?

The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish legal authority, functioning from the time of Moshe Rabbeinu until approximately the 5th century CE. It was:

1. A Court of 71 Judges

Derived from Bamidbar 11:16, where Hashem commands Moshe to gather seventy elders, with Moshe acting as the head.

The Nasi (Prince) led the Sanhedrin, while the Av Beit Din (Head of the Court) oversaw legal matters.

2. The Supreme Halachic and Judicial Body

Decided on Torah law, national policy, and religious disputes.

Had the authority to issue binding rulings for all of Klal Yisrael.

Determined matters of capital punishment, religious conversion, and the calendar.

3. Located in the Beit HaMikdash

The Sanhedrin sat in the Lishkat HaGazit (Hall of Hewn Stones) in the Temple.

After the Churban (destruction) of the Second Beit HaMikdash (70 CE), the Sanhedrin moved to Yavneh, then Usha, then Tiberias, before eventually dissolving.

4. Had an Unbroken Chain of Semichah

Every member of the Sanhedrin had semichah (rabbinic ordination) traced back to Moshe Rabbeinu.

The chain of semichah broke around the 4th or 5th century CE, meaning no modern rabbi has valid semichah to form a real Sanhedrin today.

2. Attempts to Restore the Sanhedrin Throughout History

Many great Torah leaders have attempted to reinstate the Sanhedrin, but all failed due to halachic and communal obstacles.

1. Rabbi Yosef Karo and the Tzfat Sanhedrin (1500s)

Rabbi Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, attempted to re-establish semichah in the 16th century.

He cited Rambam’s opinion (Hilchot Sanhedrin 4:11) that if all the Torah sages of Eretz Yisrael agreed, they could reinstate semichah.

However, the attempt failed due to lack of widespread acceptance.

2. The 19th and 20th Century Zionist Attempts

Some early Zionist rabbis proposed restoring the Sanhedrin to create a halachic Jewish government.

These efforts failed because most Torah authorities rejected them, citing the lack of semichah and the absence of the Beit HaMikdash

.

3. The Modern “Nascent Sanhedrin” (2004-Present)

A self-appointed group of rabbis declared themselves the new Sanhedrin, but they lack semichah, recognition, or authority.

This group is not accepted by any halachic authority and is widely rejected by Orthodox Judaism.

3. How the True Sanhedrin Will Be Restored

According to Torah law, the real Sanhedrin cannot be restored by self-appointment. It will require divine guidance, halachic consensus, and national unity.

1. Restoration of Semichah

The Sanhedrin cannot exist without proper semichah.

Two halachic possibilities for restoring semichah exist:

1. Mashiach restores semichah by divine authority.

2. All Torah sages of Eretz Yisrael agree to reinstate it, as suggested by the Rambam (Hilchot Sanhedrin 4:11).

To date, no generation has met the conditions for reinstating semichah.

2. Return to the Beit HaMikdash

The real Sanhedrin must sit in the Lishkat HaGazit (Temple Chamber of Hewn Stones). According to Halacha, it cannot function in exile or outside the Temple.

3. Universal Jewish Recognition

The Sanhedrin must be accepted by all Torah-observant communities.

Unlike the Nascent Sanhedrin, which is rejected by mainstream Judaism, the real Sanhedrin will emerge with full halachic and communal legitimacy.

4. Messianic Era – The Ultimate Restoration of the Sanhedrin

Many poskim say the Sanhedrin will only return when Mashiach arrives.

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 1:26: "And I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning."

Sanhedrin 97a states that in the days of Mashiach, Torah law will be fully reinstated—including the Sanhedrin.

4. The Role of the Real Sanhedrin in the Future

When restored, the true Sanhedrin will have the following roles:

1. Halachic Authority for Klal Yisrael

The Sanhedrin will serve as the highest Torah authority.

All halachic disputes will be brought before them.

Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Mamrim 1:1) – The Sanhedrin has the final say on all matters of Torah law.

2. Torah-Based Leadership in Israel

The Sanhedrin will advise the Jewish government on Torah-based governance.

Devarim 17:8-10 commands Jews to follow the rulings of the Sanhedrin.

3. Declaring the Calendar and the New Moon

The Sanhedrin will officially determine Rosh Chodesh and Jewish holidays.This will restore the original Torah-based calendar system, which was lost after the Sanhedrin’s dissolution.

4. Overseeing the Beit HaMikdash and Sacrificial Service

The Sanhedrin is responsible for the functioning of the Beit HaMikdash.The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) is appointed under their authority.

5. Preparing for Mashiach

The Sanhedrin will play a key role in recognizing and supporting Mashiach.Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:1) states that the Sanhedrin will help guide the Jewish people toward the ultimate redemption.

Part 8: What Can We Do? A Call to Action

Now that we have established the truth about the real Sanhedrin and the false claims of the Nascent Sanhedrin, the question remains: What should we do with this information?

It is not enough to simply know the difference; we must actively work to protect Torah authenticity, fight misinformation, and educate others.

1. For Torah-Observant Jews: Strengthening Our Communities

Observant Jews already know that the Nascent Sanhedrin is a fraud, but that does not mean we should ignore the damage they cause.

Here’s how we can help:

Educate everyone who may be unaware that the Sanhedrin has not been restored. Many secular, Reform, and even some Orthodox Jews have heard of the Nascent Sanhedrin and mistakenly believe they have legitimacy.

Counter misinformation online—when you see claims about a "Sanhedrin ruling" on modern events, challenge them with real halachic sources.

Teach proper Torah understanding—encourage more study of Mishneh Torah, Talmud, and Shulchan Aruch so that people are grounded in real Jewish law.

Be vigilant against political exploitation—the Torah should never be used as a tool for nationalist, Zionist, or political agendas outside of halachic governance.

The real Sanhedrin will not be restored by a few rabbis appointing themselves without halachic backing—it will come through true Torah leadership and divine guidance.

2. For Non-Jews: Avoiding Misinformation and False Expectations

Many Christian Zionists, Hebrew Roots followers, and Noahides have been misled by the Nascent Sanhedrin’s claims.

Some believe:

The Sanhedrin will soon rule the world under Noahide Law.

The Third Temple is about to be built, based on this Sanhedrin’s statements.

The Sanhedrin has secret authority in Israel.

All these are completely false.

What should non-Jews do instead?

Learn from real Jewish sources—if you want to understand Torah, study with real Torah teachers, not self-appointed groups.

Do not spread conspiracy theories—the Sanhedrin has no secret global power, and Jews are not trying to enforce Noahide Laws on non-Jews.

Recognize that the real Sanhedrin is a future event—it will not be re-established until halachic conditions are met.

Spreading false ideas about Jewish power and religious courts leads to anti-Semitism and unnecessary fear. Instead of falling for myths, focus on real Torah learning and truth.

3. Fighting Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories

One of the greatest dangers of the Nascent Sanhedrin’s false claims is that their actions have fueled anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jewish global control.

How can we fight back?

Reveal the truth—Make it clear that the Nascent Sanhedrin is not recognized by any major Jewish authority.

Challenge false claims—When people say Jews are "enforcing Noahide Laws" or "controlling world politics," demand real evidence, which does not exist.

Educate online communities—Many people get their news from social media, where misinformation spreads easily. Provide accurate Jewish perspectives.

We must ensure that anti-Semitic lies do not spread, especially those based on false interpretations of Torah law.

4. Preparing for the Real Sanhedrin:

A Focus on Torah and Unity

If we truly want to see the Sanhedrin restored, the best thing we can do is focus on Torah study, halachic observance, and Jewish unity.

The Sanhedrin cannot exist without real semichah—this is something that only a united Jewish people can restore.

The Sanhedrin must be accepted by all Torah-observant Jews—we must work towards Jewish unity, not fragmentation.

The real Sanhedrin will return with Mashiach—instead of obsessing over political movements, we should focus on spiritual growth and preparation.

The best way to prepare for the true Sanhedrin is not to create false substitutes, but to strengthen our Torah knowledge and halachic commitment.

Protecting Torah Truth

We live in a time where misinformation spreads rapidly, and the Nascent Sanhedrin has taken advantage of this to promote false claims.

However, as Torah Jews, our responsibility is to:

Uphold halachic truth and reject false authorities.

Educate others—both Jews and non-Jews—about the real Sanhedrin.

Fight anti-Semitic conspiracy theories fueled by these false claims.

Prepare for the future Sanhedrin by strengthening Torah learning.

Final Warning: Be cautious about self-proclaimed "Sanhedrins" today. They are not halachically valid and have caused great damage. Instead, focus on real Torah and the future restoration of the Sanhedrin in its true form.

The Torah is not a tool for political agendas or conspiracy theories—it is eternal truth, and we must protect it.

Conclusion: The False Sanhedrin vs. The Real Sanhedrin

Throughout this lecture, we have explored the historical, halachic, and practical differences between the true Sanhedrin of Jewish tradition and the self-appointed Nascent Sanhedrin, which falsely claims legitimacy.

This distinction is essential because misinformation about the Sanhedrin has led to confusion, conspiracy theories, and even anti-Semitic propaganda.

1. The True Sanhedrin: Halachic and Historical Authority

The real Sanhedrin was established in the time of Moshe Rabbeinu and continued through the times of the Beit HaMikdash.

It was a court of 71 judges who were required to have authentic semichah, tracing back to Moshe. This unbroken chain of semichah ensured that the Sanhedrin had real halachic and judicial power.

After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Sanhedrin continued to function in different locations, but by the 5th century CE, the institution ceased to exist. Since then, no halachically valid Sanhedrin has been re-established due to the loss of semichah and the lack of universal Jewish acceptance.

The Sanhedrin cannot be restored by self-appointment. It must be recognized by all Torah-observant Jews, be located in the Beit HaMikdash, and be led by judges with proper semichah. According to most poskim, the Sanhedrin will only be reinstated in the Messianic era, as prophesied in Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 1:26:

"And I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning."

2. The Nascent Sanhedrin: A False Claim to Authority

In 2004, a group of rabbis declared themselves the Nascent Sanhedrin, falsely claiming to restore the ancient Jewish court.

However, they do not have semichah, halachic recognition, or authority. Their rulings are not binding, and they are rejected by all mainstream Torah authorities.

This group has misused Jewish symbols, such as:

The Trump-Cyrus Temple Coin (2017), falsely comparing President Trump to Cyrus the Great.

Proposing an International Noahide Court, fueling anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Spreading false expectations among Christian Zionists and Hebrew Roots movements.

By pretending to be a real authority, the Nascent Sanhedrin has given anti-Semites, conspiracy theorists, and uninformed individuals a reason to spread dangerous misinformation.

3. The Dangers of False Sanhedrin Claims

Christian and Hebrew Roots distortions

– Many falsely believe this group will recognize their messiah or rebuild the Temple.

Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories

– Extremists claim Jews want to enforce Noahide Laws worldwide.

Misinformation in Jewish communities – Some Reform and secular Jews mistakenly think this group represents authentic Judaism.

4. The Path Forward: Education and Truth

Jews must educate others to reject false Sanhedrin claims and follow true halachic sources.

Non-Jews should be wary of conspiracy theories and seek accurate information on Torah law.

The true Sanhedrin will be restored when the proper halachic conditions are met—not by self-appointed groups, but by divine intervention and universal Jewish acceptance. Until then, we must protect Torah truth and expose false claims.