I have a question about today's daf - Rosh Hashana 3. According to Rav Nachman's statement that non-Jewish kings have their years counted from Tishrei, and Rabbi Avahu's addition that kosher non-Jewish kings have their years counted from Nissan, don't we get significant possible confusion? The purpose of this count, as the Gemara says, is to prevent pre-dating of loan documents. But if we have a situation (like by Daryavesh), where a non-Jewish king can either gain or lose kashrut status and therefore change the dating of his rule, how can we be sure about document dating? (Even ignoring the question of how/where/when the kashrut status was practically decided) If a Kong loses or gains kashrut midway through the year, there is a significant opportunity to change the date on documents...
Is this discussed in any of the commentaries?
Thank you,
Gedaliah Knizhnik
Gedaliah Knizhnik, Bala Cynwyd,, United States
Sholom Rav.
A good question. I did not find anyone who speaks about it - The Ein Mishpat does not even cite a Rambam throughout the entire Sugya.
I would therefore suggest that, in order to avoid confusion (a) certainly once a document has been written, it will not be affected by the change of status of the non-Jewish king in whose reign it was written, and (b) possibly even new documents are signed according to the king's original status until the next king replaces him.
Be'Virchas Kol Tuv.
Eliezer Chrysler.