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Way to go on 70, yodeyans! But, the mi.yodeya series doesn't rest on its laurels...


Who knows seventy one?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:

  • Upvote all interesting answers.

  • Accept the best answer.

  • Go on to the next number.

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6 Answers 6

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71 is the number of chicks that, according to an ancient superstition mentioned in the Gemara (Shabbos 67b), were to be counted at once to prevent them from dying. The Gemara forbids this practice as "darkei ha'Emori," the pagan rites of the Amorites. (Say, that rhymes!)

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    Chasdei Dovid to Tosefta Shabbos (end ch. 7) suggests that the basis for this was the assumption that "70" can become diminished, as is found with regard to the Parei HaChag. By adding 1 to the 70, it would leave that category.
    – Dave
    Aug 5, 2010 at 1:39
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Sanhedrin had 71 = 70 + Nasi. The head of the 70 is Av Beit din. See Rambam, Hilchot Sanhedrin 1:5 (http://kodesh.mikranet.org.il/i/e101.htm) Example mentions of Sanhedrin of 71: http://kodesh.mikranet.org.il/b/h/h44.htm#1.5

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  • chaimkut, Welcome to mi.yodeya, and thanks very much for the flurry of great answers! I look forward to seeing you around.
    – Isaac Moses
    Aug 4, 2010 at 13:45
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The Diopelestion building in Alexandria of Mitzrayim had 71 chairs of gold, corresponding to the 71 members of the Sanhedrin. (Succah 51b)

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I'm making an assumption here, but:

The kerashim of the Mishkan were 1 1/2 amos wide and 1 amah deep. According to the braisa that holds that there were three middle rods, the nominal length that the rods held in place was 72 amos (30+30+12) [I have no proof, but I'm assuming the corners were held by the western rod, not the north and south ones].

However, according to Rabbi Yehuda (Shabbos 98b), the depth of the kerashim were gradually shaved from an amah to a point on top (k'etzba). In order to compensate for the jut at the two corner planks, these corner planks were shaven to meet the shape of the north and south walls- from 0 at the bottom to an amah at the top. The center would have a 1/2 amah shaved off on each side. So the middle rod covered an area of 30+30+11=71.

(Though it doesn't seem like the actual rods were that long, or they would have to be shaven, too, so it wouldn't be proud of the keresh, and that isn't mashma.)

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Number of languages (e.g., Rashi, B'reshis 50:6).

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71 middos of a perush. Chovot HaLevavot, Ninth Treatise, ch. 4.

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