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...
Opening New Bottles on Shabbat
Meals on Erev Shabbat
Sending Mail Before Shabbat
Practical Applications of the Shabbat Prohibition of "Me'abeid"
Removing Dirt from a Garment on Shabbat
May a Man Wear a Ring in a Public Domain on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible On Shabbat To Visit A House Under Construction Or Renovation
Is It Permissible On Shabbat To Wear 2 Of the Same Garments Such As 2 Belts
Is It Permissible On Shabbat To Go To A Bus or Train Terminal With Plans On Getting On The Bus or Train After Shabbat
Walking in a Public Domain on Shabbat With Pebbles or Sand in One's Shoes
Tosefet Shabbat: Accepting Shabbat Several Minutes Before Sunset
The Woman's Obligation to Light the Shabbat Candles
May a Woman Walk in a Public Domain on Shabbat With a "Moch Dachuk"?
The Prohibition of "Tzad" (Trapping) on Shabbat -It Permissible To Lock A Child In A Room On Shabbat
Talking or Thinking About One's Business on Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found