Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Of this Exclusion, the Jews commonly make three Degrees, and that not without § 19 some countenance from the Scripture. The First they call, [Greek or Hebrew] Niddui. The second [Greek or Hebrew], Cherem: and the Third [Greek or Hebrew] Shammatha. That which they call Niddui, from [Greek or Hebrew], to expel, to separate, to cast off, is with the most of them the first and lowest degree of this separation and exclusion. And Persons who are to pronounce this sentence and put it into execution, are according to the Jews, any Court from the highest Sanhedrin of seventy one at Jerusalem, to the meanest in their Synagogues. Yea any Ruler of a Synagogue, or Wise Man in Authority, might according unto them, do the same thing. And many ridiculous stories they have about the mutual Excommunication and Absolution of one another by consent. The time of its continuance, or the first space of time given to the Persons offending to repent, was thirty days, to which on his neglect he was left unto sixty, and then to ninety, when upon his obstinacy he was obnoxious to the Cherem. As the Causes of it they reckon up in Jerusalem Talmud, moed Katon, twenty four crimes, on the guilt whereof any one may be thus dealt withal. 1. He that despiseth a Wise Man, that is, a Rabbi, Master, or Doctor, even after his death. 2. He that contemneth a Minister or Messenger of the House of Judgement. 3. He that calleth his Neighbour, Servant or Slave. 4. He to whom the Judge sends and appoints him a time of Appearance, and he doth not appear. 5. He that despiseth the words of the Scribes, much more, the words of the Law of Moses. 6. He that doth not obey, and stand unto the sentence denounced against him. 7. He that hath any hurtful thing in his power, as a biting Dog, and doth not remove it. 8. He that sells his Field to a Christian, or any Heathen. 9. He that gives witness against an Israelite in the Courts of the Christians. 10. A Priest that killeth Cattle, and doth not separate the gifts that belong to another Priest. 11. He that profaneth the second Holy-day in Captivity. 12. He that doth any work in the afternoon before the Passover. 13. He that taketh the name of God in vain on any account. 14. He that induceth others to profane the name of God. 15. He that draweth others to eat of holy things without the Temple. 16.

Of this Exclusion, the Jews commonly make three Degrees, and that not without § 19 some countenance from the Scripture. The First they call, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Niddui. The second 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Cherem: and the Third Shammatha. That which they call Niddui, from , to expell, to separate, to cast off, is with the most of them the first and lowest degree of this separation and exclusion. And Persons who are to pronounce this sentence and put it into execution, are according to the Jews, any Court from the highest Sanhedrin of seventy one at Jerusalem, to the meanest in their Synagogues. Yea any Ruler of a Synagogue, or Wise Man in Authority, might accorcording unto them, do the same thing. And many ridiculous stories they have about the mutual Excommunication and Absolution of one another by consent. The time of its continuance, or the first space of time given to the Persons offending to repent, was thirty dayes, to which on his neglect he was left unto sixty, and then to ninety, when upon his obstinacy he was obnoxious to the Cherem. As the Causes of it they reckon up in Jerusalem Talmud, moed Katon, twenty four crimes, on the guilt whereof any one may be thus dealt withal. 1. He that despiseth a Wise Man, that is, a Rabbi, Master, or Doctor, even after his death. 2. He that contemneth a Minister or Messenger of the House of Judgement. 3. He that calleth his Neighbour, Servant or Slave. 4. He to whom the Judge sends and appoints him a time of Appearance, and he doth not appear. 5. He that despiseth the words of the Scribes, much more, the words of the Law of Moses. 6. He that doth not obey, and stand unto the sentence denounced against him. 7. He that hath any hurtful thing in his power, as a biting Dog, and doth not remove it. 8. He that sells his Field to a Christian, or any Heathen. 9. He that gives witness against an Israelite in the Courts of the Christians. 10. A Priest that killeth Cattle, and doth not separate the guifts that belong to another Priest. 11. He that profaneth the second Holy-day in Captivity. 12. He that doth any work in the afternoon before the Passeover. 13. He that taketh the name of God in vain on any account. 14. He that induceth others to profane the name of God. 15. He that draweth others to eat of holy things without the Temple. 16.