Curse Meroz and the Origins of the Ban

"Curse Meroz, said the angel of the LORD" (Judges 5:23). Rav said: From where do we learn that we send a messenger of the court and summon a person to judgment? As it is written, "And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram" (Numbers 16:12). And from where that we summon to judgment? "And Moses said to Korah, You and all your company, be before the LORD" (Numbers 16:16). That a man may be summoned before one greater than himself, as it is written, "before the LORD." That so-and-so and so-and-so are summoned together, as it is written, "you and Aaron" (Numbers 16:16). That we set an appointed time, as it is written, "tomorrow" (Numbers 16:16). That we set a second time after the first, as it is written, "They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he has let the appointed time pass" (Jeremiah 46:17). And from where that if one acts insolently toward the messenger of the court who comes and reports it, this is not regarded as slander? As it is written, "Will you put out the eyes of those men?" (Numbers 16:14). And from where that we place under ban [niddui]? As it is written, "Curse Meroz." That a great man may pronounce it, as it is written, "said the angel of the LORD." And from where that we place under the harsher ban [cherem]? As it is written, "Bitterly curse" (Judges 5:23). That this falls upon one who eats and drinks with the banned person and stands within his four cubits, as it is written, "its inhabitants" (Judges 5:23). And from where that we specify the offender's sin in public? As it is written, "because they did not come to the help of the LORD" (Judges 5:23). And Ulla said: With four hundred horn blasts did Barak place Meroz under ban. Some say Meroz was a great man; and some say it was a star, as it is written, "From heaven they fought, the stars from their courses" (Judges 5:20). And from where that we declare a person's property ownerless? As it is written, "Whoever does not come within three days, by the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his property shall be forfeited" (Ezra 10:8). From where that we may contend, lash, smite, pull out hair, and impose oaths? As it is said, "And I contended with them and cursed them and struck some of their men and pulled out their hair" (Nehemiah 13:25). From where that we bind, imprison, and impose harsh penalties? As it is written, "whether for death, or for uprooting, or for a penalty on goods" (Ezra 7:26). What is "uprooting"? Rabbi Yehudah son of Rav Shmuel bar Shilat said: We place under ban at once, and repeat it after thirty days, and place under cherem after sixty days. Rav Huna bar Chinena said to him: Thus said Rav Chisda, on Monday, Thursday, and Monday. "Curse Meroz" indicates the lesser ban, and so forth (it is written in remez 16).