Mesorat%20hashas for Menachot 129:1

והיינו דתנן פתחיה על הקינין זה מרדכי למה נקרא שמו פתחיה פותח דברים ודורשן ויודע בשבעים לשון

<br> This is indeed what we have learnt: Petahiah was over the bird-offerings. This same Petahiah was Mordecai; why was his name called Petahiah? Because he was able to open matters and interpret them,' and he knew seventy languages. But did not every member of the Sanhedrin know seventy languages? For R. Johanan said, None are to be appointed members of the Sanhedrin but men of wisdom, of good appearance, of fine stature, of mature age. men with a knowledge of sorcery and who know seventy languages, in order that the court should have no need of an interpreter! - Say, rather, that he used to mix together expressions and explain them; and on that account it is written of Mordecai 'Bilshan'. <br>

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