Weekly Daf #67

Become a Supporter Library Library

The Weekly Daf by Rav Mendel Weinbach

Sanhedrin 37-43 - Issue #67
17 - 23 Iyar 5755 / 17 - 23 May 1995


This publication is also available in the following formats: [Text] [Word] [PDF] Explanation of these symbols


What's Wrong With Circumstantial Evidence?

said Rabbi Shimon ben Shetach to the man holding a sword from which blood dripped while on the floor of the deserted house another man gasped his final breath. "Only one of us could possibly be the murderer. But I have no authority to convict you (even though there was a second witness to this scene) since the Torah insists on witnesses seeing the actual crime as a basis for inflicting the death penalty. Nevertheless, the Omniscient One will certainly see that justice is done to one who takes the life of another."

This scene began when the sage saw the sword wielding pursuer chasing his intended victim into the house and ended with a serpent biting the pursuer and bringing about the divine justice foreseen by Rabbi Shimon.

In his Sefer Hamitzvos, Maimonides explains that the Torah rules out circumstantial evidence as a basis for conviction in capital crimes because it is too subjective and if one man can be put to death because of powerful evidence another may be executed on the basis of inconclusive evidence. The Torah therefore drew a sharp line by insisting on the objective standard of two witnesses testifying to what they actually saw. Even if such a standard may sometimes allow a guilty man to go free it is preferable to taking the life of an innocent one.

Sanhedrin 37b


Environmental Boomerang

Here is how Hashem explains why he chose Ovadia to prophesize regarding the nation of Edom which was descended from Eisav:

"Let Ovadia, who lived in the company of two sinners - King Achav and Izevel - and was not corrupted by their evil come and prophesize regarding the wicked Eisav who lived in the company of two righteous people - Yitzchak and Rivkah - and did not learn from their good deeds."

In his "Michtav Me'Eliyahu", Rav A.E. Dessler zt"l cites this as a classic example of how environment can sometimes have a boomerang effect. If one is strong in his righteousness as was Ovadia the exposure to evil people will only increase his contempt for evil, while if one is as corrupt as Eisav his contempt for virtue will only increase from his exposure to virtuous people.

Sanhedrin 39b


General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Lev Seltzer
HTML Design: Eli Ballon, Michael Treblow

© 1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.
This publication is available via E-Mail
Ohr Somayach Institutions is an international network of Yeshivot and outreach centers, with branches in North America, Europe, South Africa and South America. The Central Campus in Jerusalem provides a full range of educational services for over 685 full-time students.

The Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) of Ohr Somayach offers summer and winter programs in Israel that attract hundreds of university students from around the world for 3 to 8 weeks of study and touring.

Ohr Somayach's Web site is hosted by TeamGenesis


Copyright © 1995 Ohr Somayach International. Send us feedback.
Dedication opportunities are available for Weekly Daf. Please contact us for details.
Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.