Commentary for Sanhedrin 142:22

פיזור לרשעים הנאה להן והנאה לעולם ולצדיקים רע להן ורע לעולם כנוס לרשעים רע להן ורע לעולם ולצדיקים הנאה להן והנאה לעולם שקט לרשעים רע להן ורע לעולם לצדיקים הנאה להן והנאה לעולם:

— The lesser [punishment] is included in the greater.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., this does refer to a nesu'ah, whose violation before conversion is punished by decapitation; after conversion, by stoning. But the latter being more lenient than the former, it is regarded as included therein; hence his death has not changed. But in blasphemy, the change is from decapitation to stoning. Which is the reverse. ');">¹⁸</span> Now this agrees with the view of the Rabbis that <font>decapitation is severer [than stoning]</font>; but on the view of R. Simeon that stoning is the greater punishment, what can you say? — R. Simeon concurs with the Tanna of the School of Manasseh, who says that <font>wherever death is decreed for the Noachide, it is by strangulation</font>. Now, this is true of adultery, the penalty for which both before and after [conversion] is strangulation.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' According to the last answer. ');">¹⁹</span> But murder was punishable before by <font>strangulation</font>; now by <font>decapitation</font>! — The lesser is included in the greater.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Decapitation being more lenient than strangulation. ');">²⁰</span> Shall we say that the following supports him? [For it was taught:] If she [sc. a betrothed maiden] sinned [by committing adultery], and then attained puberty [becoming a bogereth], she is <font>strangled</font>.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Keth. 45a. ');">²¹</span> Now, why not <font>stoned</font>?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In accordance with the penalty of a na'arah. ');">²²</span> Surely, because since she is changed [physiologically], she is likewise changed [in respect of punishment];<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though here it does not exempt her entirely, since strangulation, to which a bogereth is liable, is included in stoning, the punishment of a na'arah. ');">²³</span> how much more so in this case,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Of blasphemy. ');">²⁴</span> where a complete change has taken place? — [This does not support him,] for R. Johanan said to the tanna:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [R. Shila, who recited the Baraitha, Keth. 45a.] ');">²⁵</span> Read, she is stoned. <b><i>MISHNAH</i></b>. A 'STUBBORN AND REBELLIOUS SON' IS TRIED ON ACCOUNT OF HIS ULTIMATE DESTINY: LET HIM DIE INNOCENT AND LET HIM NOT DIE GUILTY. FOR THE DEATH OF THE WICKED BENEFITS THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' It benefits them, in that they sin no more. ');">²⁶</span> OF THE RIGHTEOUS, INJURES THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD. WINE AND SLEEP OF THE WICKED BENEFIT THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For whilst drinking and sleeping they can do no evil. ');">²⁷</span> OF THE RIGHTEOUS, INJURE THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Because their time can be better spent, with greater advantage to themselves and to others. ');">²⁸</span> THE SCATTERING OF THE WICKED BENEFITS THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Being scattered, they cannot take counsel together for evil. ');">²⁹</span> OF THE RIGHTEOUS, INJURES THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD. THE ASSEMBLING OF THE WICKED INJURES THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD; OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BENEFITS THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD. THE TRANQUILLITY OF THE WICKED INJURES THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As it gives them the opportunity of devising evil. ');">³⁰</span> OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BENEFITS THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD.

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