DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 532 KB)
The Disqualification of “Shameless” People From Serving as Witnesses

Among the groups of people whom Halacha disqualifies from serving as witnesses is that of "Bezuyim," meaning, people who act in a self-degrading, shameless manner. Such people are disqualified from serving as witnesses "Mi’de’rabbanan" (by force of Rabbinic enactment).

An example of this kind of character is somebody who regularly eats full meals while walking through the street. Eating meals – such as a sandwich, or pizza – while walking through the street is considered undignified, and reflects a lack of self-respect. Therefore, somebody who conducts himself in this manner on a regular basis may not serve as a witness. This also applies to people who do not wear proper clothing outdoors, while they work or conduct their personal affairs. Such people who show no concern for their personal dignity are looked upon not as people, but as animals. As such, we cannot trust them to speak truthfully in court, and they are therefore disqualified from serving as witnesses.

This reminds us of the importance of selecting as witnesses (such as at weddings and the like) people who maintain high standards of ethical and refined conduct. Even those who do not commit specific Torah violations are unsuitable for this role if they regularly act in an unbecoming and undignified manner.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Liability of a “Shomer Hinam” – an Unpaid Guardian
Is it Permissible to Photocopy Pages From a Published Sefer?
Separating Halla from the Dough – When Does the Obligation Apply?
Omitting Lamenase’ah and Tefila Le’David on Days When Tahanunim Omitted
Reciting Yag Midot and Nefilat Apayim After Sunset
Fasting on Friday
Is it Proper to Sleep During the Day?
Wigs and Alternate Head Coverings for Ladies
Pressuring One’s Fellow to Sell His Possessions
Asking Forgiveness From Those Whom We Have Wronged
Rosh Hashanah – Proper Foods, and Avoiding Anger
Reciting Sheheheyanu When Purchasing a New Garment
The Communal Obligation of Bikur Holim
Hiring a Jew Who Has Not Recited Habdala Since the Previous Shabbat
Invitations Printed in “Ketab Ashurit” – The Writing Style of a Sefer Torah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found