For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 14
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We are told about how judges were appointed when “the wicked kingdom of Rome issued decrees of religious persecution against the Jewish people”.
The rabbis understood that in an attempt to interrupt the internal justice system of the Jews, it was declared that anyone who ordained a judge, who was ordained, who was in that city would be destroyed; the boundaries of that city would be destroyed. Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava found a place between Usha and Shefar’am – a desolate area – where he ordained Rabbis Meir, Yehuda, Shimon, Yosei and Elazar. This is used as proof that one rabbi can ordain a judge.