cycle: the Talmudic routing sends roots the engine can read

route_if_unresolved sent the roots' Hebrew (ברא) to the Talmudic
Engine, whose verse facts name roots by letter (bet_resh_aleph, read
from "bet-resh-aleph"). Since Step 14 every interpretation the cycle
took from the engine was "resolved" over an empty trace — 0 verses,
0 mitzvot — and so was every case it escalated to the Sanhedrin. Now
the names go up (BereishitCycle.engine_root_name/1, from tablet 55's
third commit), on both the interpretation and the escalation.

Proven against the engine running locally on its socket, with the
roots the cycle itself activates for bereishit 1:1:
  HEBREW (as before): status=resolved verses=0  mitzvot=0
  NAMES  (now):       status=resolved verses=11 mitzvot=4
Elixir 632/0. The unresolved route cannot be driven in the test env
(it needs the Shoresh Engine to leave a root ungrounded); the live
proof is a pe'ah question with an ungroundable Hebrew word.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5.1 <noreply@anthropic.com>

sanhedrin/src/judge.erl

@@ -157,7 +157,16 @@ vote_from_consultation(Step, {ok, Map}, RootCount) ->
     Status = maps:get(status, Map, <<"teiku">>),
     Text = maps:get(text, Map, <<>>),
     Verses = maps:get(verses, Map, []),
+    Grounding = maps:get(grounding, Map, []),
     case Status of
+        <<"resolved">> when Verses =:= [], Grounding =:= [] ->
+            %% The engine says "resolved" over an empty trace — no verse,
+            %% no mitzvah. That is a reading that stands on nothing, and
+            %% a vote to accept it would be the calf (avodah_zarah.pl
+            %% Form 2: the uncoupled output). Abstain, and say why.
+            {<<"Teiku — the reading is coupled to no verse and no mitzvah">>,
+             reasoning(Step, <<"resolved on an empty trace; nothing to stand on">>, RootCount, Verses),
+             [], abstain};
         <<"resolved">> ->
             {Text,
              reasoning(Step, <<"resolved">>, RootCount, Verses),

sanhedrin/src/panel.erl

@@ -207,15 +207,21 @@ compute_majority_minority([]) ->
        torah_refs => [],
        vote_count => 0}};
 compute_majority_minority(Votes) ->
-    %% Count accepts vs rejects
     Accepts = [V || V <- Votes, V#vote.verdict == accept],
     Rejects = [V || V <- Votes, V#vote.verdict == reject],
     Abstains = [V || V <- Votes, V#vote.verdict == abstain],
+    NA = length(Accepts), NR = length(Rejects), NB = length(Abstains),
 
+    %% The majority is the verdict with the most votes — abstentions
+    %% count (tablet 55: live, one accept "won" against two
+    %% abstentions, and the reply showed majority 1, minority 2). An
+    %% abstaining plurality, or an accept/reject tie, is teiku
+    %% (determine_outcome reads the majority's verdict).
     {MajVotes, MinVotes} =
-        case length(Accepts) >= length(Rejects) of
-            true  -> {Accepts, Rejects ++ Abstains};
-            false -> {Rejects, Accepts ++ Abstains}
+        if
+            NA > NR, NA >= NB -> {Accepts, Rejects ++ Abstains};
+            NR > NA, NR >= NB -> {Rejects, Accepts ++ Abstains};
+            true              -> {Abstains, Accepts ++ Rejects}
         end,
 
     MajSample = case MajVotes of

sanhedrin/test/sanhedrin_SUITE.erl

@@ -506,6 +506,37 @@ majority_verdict_reject_test() ->
     {Maj, _Min} = panel:compute_majority_minority(Votes),
     ?assertEqual(reject, maps:get(verdict, Maj)).
 
+%% Tablet 55: abstentions count. One accept against two abstentions is
+%% not an accepting majority — it is teiku.
+majority_abstaining_plurality_is_teiku_test() ->
+    Votes = [make_vote(accept), make_vote(abstain), make_vote(abstain)],
+    {Maj, Min} = panel:compute_majority_minority(Votes),
+    ?assertEqual(abstain, maps:get(verdict, Maj)),
+    ?assertEqual(2, maps:get(vote_count, Maj)),
+    ?assertEqual(1, maps:get(vote_count, Min)),
+    ?assertEqual(teiku, panel:determine_outcome(Maj, Min, passed)).
+
+majority_accept_reject_tie_is_teiku_test() ->
+    Votes = [make_vote(accept), make_vote(reject)],
+    {Maj, _Min} = panel:compute_majority_minority(Votes),
+    ?assertEqual(abstain, maps:get(verdict, Maj)),
+    ?assertEqual(0, maps:get(vote_count, Maj)).
+
+%% Tablet 55: "resolved" over an empty trace — no verse, no mitzvah —
+%% is nothing to stand on; the judge abstains rather than accept.
+judge_resolved_on_empty_trace_abstains_test() ->
+    {Pos, Reason, Refs, Verdict} =
+        judge:vote_from_consultation(interpret,
+            {ok, #{status => <<"resolved">>, text => <<"reading(0,0)">>, verses => [], grounding => []}}, 5),
+    ?assertEqual(abstain, Verdict),
+    ?assertEqual([], Refs),
+    ?assertMatch({_, _}, binary:match(Pos, <<"Teiku">>)),
+    ?assertMatch({_, _}, binary:match(Reason, <<"empty trace">>)),
+    %% a mitzvah without a verse is still ground
+    {_, _, _, V2} = judge:vote_from_consultation(interpret,
+        {ok, #{status => <<"resolved">>, text => <<"r">>, verses => [], grounding => [<<"mitzvah(5)">>]}}, 1),
+    ?assertEqual(accept, V2).
+
 %% ============================================================
 %% determine_outcome tests — accepted, rejected, teiku reachable
 %% ============================================================

talmudic_engine/src/interface/api.pl

@@ -45,6 +45,24 @@ process_request(request(resolve, CaseRef, Domain, Roots, Question), Response) :-
     ;   Response = response(error, no_resolution, CaseRef)
     ).
 
+%% The challenge step of the dialectic, on its own (tablet 55: the
+%% Sanhedrin's second seat asks it; until now no handler answered and
+%% the socket fell silent). Interpret, then look for a kushya against
+%% the interpretation: one stands → resolved_challenged, the kushya
+%% named; none → no_challenge, the interpretation as read.
+process_request(request(challenge, CaseRef, Domain, Roots, Question), Response) :-
+    Case = case(CaseRef, Domain, Roots, Question),
+    (   interpret(Case, Interpretation)
+    ->  (   challenge(Interpretation, Kushya)
+        ->  Response = response(ok, resolved_challenged,
+                                result(interpretation(Interpretation),
+                                       challenge(Kushya)))
+        ;   format_interpretation(Interpretation, response(ok, interpreted, Result)),
+            Response = response(ok, no_challenge, Result)
+        )
+    ;   Response = response(error, no_interpretation, CaseRef)
+    ).
+
 process_request(request(halt_check, Action), Response) :-
     format_halt_check(Action, Response).
 

talmudic_engine/src/interface/json_bridge.pl

@@ -153,11 +153,15 @@ read_coupling_term(Str, Term) :-
 %% JSON format (Construction §3.3):
 %%   { "status": "resolved", "interpretation": { ... } }
 
-%% Interpreted response
-response_to_json(response(ok, interpreted, result(ref(Ref), mitzvot(Mitzvot),
-                                                   verses(Verses), reading(Reading),
-                                                   confidence(Conf))),
+%% Interpreted response — and the same shape under the names the
+%% resolve and challenge steps give it when the reading stands
+%% (tablet 55: resolved_accepted had no clause, so a resolve that
+%% succeeded came back UNEXPECTED_RESPONSE; no_challenge is new).
+response_to_json(response(ok, Kind, result(ref(Ref), mitzvot(Mitzvot),
+                                            verses(Verses), reading(Reading),
+                                            confidence(Conf))),
                  Dict) :-
+    memberchk(Kind, [interpreted, resolved_accepted, no_challenge]),
     maplist(term_to_string, Mitzvot, MitzvotStrs),
     maplist(term_to_string, Verses, VerseStrs),
     term_to_string(Reading, ReadingStr),
@@ -171,21 +175,52 @@ response_to_json(response(ok, interpreted, result(ref(Ref), mitzvot(Mitzvot),
                                      confidence: ConfStr},
                 challenge: null}.
 
-%% Challenged response
+%% Challenged response — the interpretation's verses and mitzvot are
+%% carried, so a judge rejecting on the kushya still cites its ground.
 response_to_json(response(ok, resolved_challenged,
                           result(interpretation(Interp), challenge(Kushya))),
                  Dict) :-
+    Interp = interpretation(_Ref, Mitzvot, Verses, _Reading, _Conf, _Trace),
+    maplist(term_to_string, Mitzvot, MitzvotStrs),
+    maplist(term_to_string, Verses, VerseStrs),
     term_to_string(Interp, InterpStr),
     term_to_string(Kushya, KushyaStr),
     Dict = json{status: "challenged",
                 interpretation: json{text: InterpStr,
                                      prolog_form: InterpStr,
-                                     grounding: [],
+                                     grounding: MitzvotStrs,
+                                     verses: VerseStrs,
                                      confidence: "medium"},
                 challenge: json{kushya: KushyaStr,
                                 contradicting: "",
                                 strength: "moderate"}}.
 
+%% Synthesized resolution: both readings stand on common ground.
+response_to_json(response(ok, resolved_synthesized,
+                          result(common(Common), verses(Verses), both_sides(Both))),
+                 Dict) :-
+    maplist(term_to_string, Common, CommonStrs),
+    maplist(term_to_string, Verses, VerseStrs),
+    term_to_string(Both, BothStr),
+    Dict = json{status: "resolved",
+                interpretation: json{text: BothStr,
+                                     prolog_form: BothStr,
+                                     grounding: CommonStrs,
+                                     verses: VerseStrs,
+                                     confidence: "medium"},
+                challenge: null}.
+
+%% No interpretation possible (from resolve)
+response_to_json(response(ok, no_interpretation, result(ref(Ref))), Dict) :-
+    atom_string(Ref, RefStr),
+    Dict = json{status: "teiku",
+                interpretation: json{text: "No interpretation found",
+                                     prolog_form: RefStr,
+                                     grounding: [],
+                                     verses: [],
+                                     confidence: "low"},
+                challenge: null}.
+
 %% Teiku response
 response_to_json(response(ok, teiku, result(record(Record))), Dict) :-
     term_to_string(Record, RecordStr),

talmudic_engine/test/reasoning_test.pl

@@ -112,3 +112,52 @@ test(teiku_count_works) :-
     integer(Count).
 
 :- end_tests(teiku_module).
+
+%% ============================================================
+%% Tablet 55 — the dialectic over the wire: interpret, challenge,
+%% resolve each answer JSON a judge can vote on. Before this the
+%% engine had no "challenge" action and a resolve that succeeded came
+%% back UNEXPECTED_RESPONSE (resolved_accepted had no JSON clause).
+%% ============================================================
+
+:- use_module('../src/interface/api').
+:- use_module('../src/interface/json_bridge').
+:- use_module('../src/interface/socket_server').
+
+:- begin_tests(dialectic_over_the_wire).
+
+roots_line(Action, Line) :-
+    format(atom(Line),
+           '{"action":"~w","case":{"ref":"t55-~w","question":"q","context_roots":["bet-resh-aleph","aleph-lamed-he"]}}',
+           [Action, Action]).
+
+test(interpret_answers_resolved_with_verses, [nondet]) :-
+    roots_line(interpret, L),
+    socket_server:process_json_line(L, R),
+    get_dict(status, R, "resolved"),
+    get_dict(interpretation, R, I),
+    get_dict(verses, I, Vs), Vs \== [].
+
+test(challenge_answers_and_carries_the_ground, [nondet]) :-
+    roots_line(challenge, L),
+    socket_server:process_json_line(L, R),
+    get_dict(status, R, S),
+    memberchk(S, ["resolved", "challenged"]),
+    get_dict(interpretation, R, I),
+    get_dict(verses, I, Vs), Vs \== [].
+
+test(resolve_answers_resolved_not_unexpected, [nondet]) :-
+    roots_line(resolve, L),
+    socket_server:process_json_line(L, R),
+    \+ get_dict(error, R, _),
+    get_dict(status, R, S),
+    memberchk(S, ["resolved", "challenged", "teiku"]).
+
+test(no_roots_resolves_on_an_empty_trace, [nondet]) :-
+    socket_server:process_json_line('{"action":"interpret","case":{"ref":"t55-empty","question":"q","context_roots":[]}}', R),
+    get_dict(status, R, "resolved"),
+    get_dict(interpretation, R, I),
+    get_dict(verses, I, []),
+    get_dict(grounding, I, []).
+
+:- end_tests(dialectic_over_the_wire).

vav_pipeline/lib/vav_pipeline/bereishit_cycle.ex

@@ -740,7 +740,10 @@ defmodule VavPipeline.BereishitCycle do
   @doc false
   defp route_if_unresolved(data, context) do
     roots = Map.get(data, :roots_activated, [])
-    context_roots = Enum.map(roots, & &1.shoresh)
+    # Tablet 55: the engine names roots by letter (bet_resh_aleph); the
+    # Hebrew was sent since Step 14 and never matched a verse fact, so
+    # every Talmudic interpretation was "resolved" over an empty trace.
+    context_roots = roots |> Enum.map(&engine_root_name/1) |> Enum.reject(&is_nil/1)
 
     case_ref = Map.get(data, :case_ref, generate_case_ref())
 
@@ -970,6 +973,40 @@ defmodule VavPipeline.BereishitCycle do
 
   defp letters_to_hebrew(_), do: nil
 
+  # The inverse: Hebrew consonant → letter name, finals folded to their base.
+  @hebrew_to_name Map.new(@consonant_names, fn {name, heb} -> {heb, name} end)
+                  |> Map.merge(%{"ך" => "kaf", "ם" => "mem", "ן" => "nun", "ף" => "pe", "ץ" => "tsadi"})
+
+  @doc """
+  The root as the Talmudic Engine names it — letter names joined by `-`
+  (`json_bridge` `parse_root_name` → `bet_resh_aleph`, the form of its
+  verse facts). From the letter names the Shoresh Engine gives when it
+  has them, else from the Hebrew (the L1 fallback carries only that).
+  Tablet 55: the engine was being sent the Hebrew, which its facts never
+  match — 5 roots in, 0 verses out, and "resolved" over the emptiness.
+  `nil` when the root carries nothing nameable.
+  """
+  @spec engine_root_name(map()) :: String.t() | nil
+  def engine_root_name(root) when is_map(root) do
+    letters = Map.get(root, :shoresh_letters) || []
+
+    names =
+      if is_list(letters) and letters != [] do
+        Enum.map(letters, &String.downcase(to_string(&1)))
+      else
+        root
+        |> Map.get(:shoresh)
+        |> case do
+          s when is_binary(s) -> s |> String.graphemes() |> Enum.map(&Map.get(@hebrew_to_name, &1))
+          _ -> [nil]
+        end
+      end
+
+    if names != [] and Enum.all?(names, &is_binary/1), do: Enum.join(names, "-"), else: nil
+  end
+
+  def engine_root_name(_), do: nil
+
   # ============================================================
   # Private helpers
   # ============================================================

vav_pipeline/lib/vav_pipeline/bigdei_kodesh/router.ex

@@ -1250,7 +1250,11 @@ defmodule VavPipeline.BigdeiKodesh.Router do
 
             {:ok,
              %{
-               roots: Enum.map(roots_full, & &1.shoresh),
+               # The engine's verse facts name roots by letter — bet_resh_aleph —
+               # and json_bridge reads "bet-resh-aleph". The cycle's root carries
+               # the letter names beside the Hebrew; the Hebrew never matches
+               # (live, 2026-10-19: 5 roots sent, 0 verses found, "resolved").
+               roots: roots_full |> Enum.map(&VavPipeline.BereishitCycle.engine_root_name/1) |> Enum.reject(&is_nil/1),
                roots_full: roots_full,
                torah_ref: {String.to_atom(scope.book), scope.chapter, scope.verse},
                read_from: Map.get(state, :roots_read_from)

vav_pipeline/test/bigdei_kodesh_test.exs

@@ -403,8 +403,10 @@ defmodule VavPipeline.BigdeiKodeshTest do
       body = Jason.decode!(conn.resp_body)
       assert body["deliberation"]["outcome"] == "teiku"
       assert body["deliberation"]["panel_size"] == 1
-      assert body["deliberation"]["majority"]["votes"] == 0
-      assert body["deliberation"]["minority"]["reasoning"] =~ "no consultation"
+      # the one judge abstained: an abstaining majority of one, no dissent
+      assert body["deliberation"]["majority"]["votes"] == 1
+      assert body["deliberation"]["majority"]["reasoning"] =~ "no consultation"
+      assert body["deliberation"]["minority"]["votes"] == 0
     end
 
     # Tablet 55: with a consultation behind the judges, the dialectic

vav_pipeline/test/tablet55_engine_root_name_test.exs

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+defmodule VavPipeline.Tablet55EngineRootNameTest do
+  @moduledoc """
+  Tablet 55: the Talmudic Engine names roots by letter (bet_resh_aleph,
+  read from "bet-resh-aleph"). The pipeline was sending it the Hebrew,
+  which its verse facts never match — roots in, no verses out, and a
+  "resolved" reading over the emptiness.
+  """
+  use ExUnit.Case, async: true
+
+  alias VavPipeline.BereishitCycle
+
+  test "from the Shoresh Engine's letter names" do
+    assert BereishitCycle.engine_root_name(%{shoresh: "ברא", shoresh_letters: ["bet", "resh", "aleph"]}) ==
+             "bet-resh-aleph"
+  end
+
+  test "from the Hebrew alone (the L1 fallback), finals folded" do
+    assert BereishitCycle.engine_root_name(%{shoresh: "דבר", shoresh_letters: []}) == "dalet-bet-resh"
+    assert BereishitCycle.engine_root_name(%{shoresh: "מלך"}) == "mem-lamed-kaf"
+  end
+
+  test "nothing nameable → nil, never a Hebrew string the engine cannot read" do
+    assert BereishitCycle.engine_root_name(%{shoresh: nil}) == nil
+    assert BereishitCycle.engine_root_name(%{shoresh: "x1"}) == nil
+    assert BereishitCycle.engine_root_name(%{}) == nil
+  end
+end