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...
Should One Stand During the Hazzan’s Repetition of the Amida?
Sukkot – Reciting “Le’sheb Ba’Sukka” Over “Mezonot” Food
Sukkot- Is the Beracha Over the Sukka Ever Recited Without Eating a Meal?
The Misva of Arabot on Hoshana Rabba
May a Mourner Participate in the Hakafot on Simhat Torah?
Succot: Kiddush on the First Night
Succot- a Dry Etrog
Sukkot – Should One First Pick Up the Lulab, or the Etrog?
May One Ask a Non-Jew to Replace Sechach or Rebuild a Sukka on Shabbat or Yom Tob?
Succot- May One Use a Grafted Etrog?
What if the Pitom Breaks?
Shaving and Haircutting Before Yom Tob; Restrictions That Apply on Hol Ha’mo’ed
Basic Laws of Taking the Arba Minim
Succot – The Significance of the Ushpizin
Succot- Choosing from the Many Brands of Etrogim
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found