Q&A: A Matter the Sadducees Acknowledge
A Matter the Sadducees Acknowledge
Question
If the Sanhedrin erred in a matter that even the Sadducees acknowledge, this is not considered a ruling but a mistake, and they do not bring the bull offering for an erroneous ruling. Do they actually need to ask the Sadducean sages what their view was, or is this just a general sign of something in which one cannot really err? Or did the Sages know every detail of Sadducean law in their time, and on that basis establish the rule?
Interest that is taken according to their laws, but according to our law must be returned—is that really based on their laws as actually practiced, or on what their law should in principle be? Or did the Sages know every detail of the gentile laws in that place regarding interest, and on that basis establish the rule?
Answer
By logic, it seems obvious that there is no need to ask the Sadducees, since this is Torah-level law, and therefore it existed even before there were Sadducees and does not depend on them. They are an indication, a sign, not the cause.
As for interest, definitely yes. Either they knew, or they asked.