Mesechtas Horayot

Tractate Horayot has 3 chapters and 14 pages.

This tractate deals with the laws concerning a court that erred in its ruling, and the sacrifice that must be brought by those who sinned based on their ruling. The tractate also explains the laws of sacrifices brought by a ruler, High Priest, and a common person.

In this tractate, there is a major dispute among the Tannaim whether each tribe in Israel is considered a congregation unto itself, or whether only all of Israel together is called a congregation. There are explanations from the Rebbe on this dispute.

Sinai and Mountain Uprooter

At the end of the tractate, a question is brought up regarding who is preferable - a "Sinai," a person who is well-versed in many tractates, or a "mountain uprooter." The conclusion is that a "Sinai" is preferable.

The Rebbe explains the significance of this being adjacent to what is written in the previous page of this tractate, that Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan had a grievance regarding the honor of their Torah scholarship because Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel's position as Nasi (President) was given more respect than their Torah scholarship. Therefore, they decided to remove Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel from his presidency by asking him a question about Tractate Uktzin in which he was not well-versed. When he would not know how to respond, they would say to him, "Who can utter the mighty acts of God? Who can proclaim all His praise?" - To whom is it fitting to utter God's mighty acts? To one who can proclaim all His praise.

Mountain Uprooter

One of the sages in the study hall heard about this and was concerned that Rabban Gamliel might be embarrassed. He sat near the entrance of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel's house and studied Tractate Uktzin aloud. Rabban Gamliel understood from this that there was some issue in the study hall regarding this topic and began studying the tractate. Thus, when Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Natan asked him the questions about the tractate, he knew how to respond.

After this incident, the Gemara relates that Rabban Gamliel and the Rabbis disagreed about who is preferable - a "Sinai" or a "mountain uprooter." The Rebbe investigates which of them held the position of "Sinai" (breadth of knowledge) and which held the position of "mountain uprooter" (depth of analysis).

At first glance, it would seem from this incident that Rabbi Meir had the quality of "Sinai," as he was well-versed in Tractate Uktzin, and as implied by the simple understanding of the Gemara that he didn't specifically study the tractate at that time in order to question him. Meanwhile, Rabban Gamliel had more of the quality of a "mountain uprooter" and lacked the quality of a "Sinai," as he didn't know one tractate.

Sinai

However, the Rebbe raises a difficulty, as it is stated in the Gemara that although "whoever sees Reish Lakish in the study hall, it is as if he sees one uprooting mountains," nevertheless, whoever sees Rabbi Meir in the study hall, it is as if he sees one uprooting mountain ranges and grinding them against each other. Thus, it seems that not only did Rabbi Meir also possess the quality of a "mountain uprooter," but he was at an extremely high level - an "uprooter of mountain ranges." It is stated in Tractate Eruvin that the sages could not fully grasp his reasoning because of its profound depth, and elsewhere it is stated that he had a student who could declare a sheretz (ritually impure creature) pure with 150 reasons.

Therefore, it is necessary to say the opposite - that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel had the quality of "Sinai," and he claimed that this was a greater quality than the "mountain uprooter" quality of Rabbi Meir, and this was the dispute between him and the sages. This also explains why he specifically did not know Tractate Uktzin, because it is stated regarding Rav Yehuda that his main area of study was Seder Nezikin, and when he would study Tractate Uktzin, he would say, "Here we see the discussions of Rav and Shmuel." From this we see that the main aspect and emphasis of Tractate Uktzin is its analytical part, and it was this aspect of "mountain uprooter" that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel specifically lacked.

The Rebbe further explains that the question of whether a "Sinai" is preferable or a "mountain uprooter" is the same well-known investigation of quality versus quantity - which is preferable.

The Rebbe's Explanations

• 4b. The dispute between the Tanna Kamma and Rabbi Yehuda, whether a tribe is called a congregation. Likkutei Sichos Vol. 23, p. 43 (p. 58)
• 8a. Which is the commandment that is equal to all the commandments? It is idolatry. Likkutei Sichos Vol. 38, p. 53 (p. 74)
• 10a. There is none above him except the Lord his God. Likkutei Sichos Vol. 30, p. 98 (p. 111)
• 12b. "You shall sanctify him" - for every matter of holiness, to open first and to bless first. Likkutei Sichos Vol. 18, p. 206 (p. 215)
• 13b. Just as the olive causes one to forget seventy years of study, so does olive oil restore seventy years of study. Hisvaaduyos 5742 Vol. 4, p. 2042 (p. 296)
• Hadran. 19 Kislev 5732 (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 12). 10 Shevat 5741.
• Jerusalem Talmud Ch. 3, Halacha 20. During those six months that David was fleeing from Absalom, he would atone with a se'ir (goat offering), like a common person. Likkutei Sichos Vol. 30, p. 98 (p. 111)