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 Proper Way to Hold the Sefer Torah When Receiving an Aliya
Customs Observed by One Who is Called to the Torah
Purchasing an Aliya to Express Gratitude for a Loan
Preparing the Sefer Torah in Advance; Receiving Two Aliyot to the Same Sefer Torah
Exceeding Three Aliyot on Monday or Thursday; Making Up a Missed Torah Reading
Concluding the Torah Reading on a Positive Note
Preparing Before Reading the Torah; The Different Customs When Calling Someone For an Aliya
Where May an Aliya Begin and End?
The Status of Someone Praying Outside of the Minyan
May One Recite Birkat Ha’Lebana When the Moon Becomes Concealed?
Should One Recite the Beracha of “HaNoten La’Yaef Koach”?
Explanation of the Word “Maftir”; The Preferred Aliya for a Yahrtzeit
Background and Explanation of the Maftir Reading
The Berachot Before and After the Haftara
The Bedtime Shema
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found