Sanhedrin 34: Who is Rasha, More Than One Opinion/Truth, Judging at Night

A brief outline of today's daf:

• The rabbis consider the reasoning behind punishments, where the word rasha, wicked, is connected to the word used for receiving lashes, thus connecting intentionality with severe punishment
• The Gemara wonders whether and when a judge can change his opinion about the guilt or innocence of the accused

• Many debates ensue: at what time could one change his mind?  Does the direction of the verdict make a difference?  Can only certain rabbis change their minds?  Are we discussing whether or not someone is killed and can we take direction from the altar services?  One does not descend from the altar - does that suggest that a decision cannot be changed?
• Rabbi Yishmael said that just like a hammer breaks a rock into many pieces, one Torah verse can have many meanings

• The rabbis ask about cases learned from more than one verse, suggesting that one of the opinions is wrong
• Examples are taken from what is sacrificed on the altar and how the sacrifice is done

• The rabbis discuss whether it is necessary to judge at night
• Judging leprosy, which requires a sighted priest, must be done during the day, but not all other judgements must be done in daylight
• The rabbis compare these judgements to those regarding children inheriting at night