RECONSTITUTION OF THE SANHEDRIN. Last week an unusual ordination occured in Tiberias, Israel. Rabbis re-established the Sanhedrin. This is the group of Rabbis, 71 in all, that existed during the Tannaitic period, from several decades before Christ until 425 A.D. Rabbi Yeshai Ba'avad said the 71 rabbis were ordained in accordance with Maimonides' writings.

The membership is not intended to be permanent. The goal is one rabbinic body that will meet every month and rule on central issues.

Rabbi Yisrael Ariel said "Whether this will be the actual Sanhedrin that we await, is a question of time - just like the establishment of the State; we rejoiced in it, but we are still awaiting something much more ideal. "