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Yevamos 31
YEVAMOS 31 - has been dedicated towards a Refu'ah Shelemah to Yakov ben
Chana, by the Tavin family.
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1) [line 14] MAPOLES - a structure that collapsed
2) [line 28] D'HAVAH LEI SEFEIKAH D'ORAISA (TREI U'TREI)
(a) When two pairs of witnesses ("Trei u'Trei") contradict each other, a
situation of doubt (Sefeikah) is created. The Amora'im argue as to whether
we may follow the Chazakah (the situation as it stood until now) in order to
resolve the doubt.
(b) The opinion that rules "Trei u'Trei Sefeikah d'Oraisa" holds that an
absolute situation of doubt is created by the contradiction. It is
impossible to resolve the doubt even on the basis of a Chazakah (i.e., the
maintenance of the status quo). The opinion that argues and rules "Trei
u'Trei Sefeikah d'Rabanan" holds that the Torah allows us to rely on the
Chazakah to resolve the doubt that is created by the contradictory
testimonies of the two pairs of witnesses. Only mid'Rabanan are we Machmir
to consider the situation a Safek.
*3*) [line 33] IY BI'SHTEI KITEI EDIM, TISYABEM V'EIN B'CHACH KELUM -
(According to Rashi, the Gemara is asking that when two pairs of witnesses
contradict each other we should rely on the Chazakah to permit the woman to
have Yibum. The Gemara immediately counters that, as was stated just a few
lines earlier, we do *not* rely on a Chazakah when two pairs of witnesses
contradict each other. Rather, "Trei u'Trei Sefeikah *d'Oraisa*.")
4) [line 38] BAR SHATYA - a person who was at times normal and at times mad
or deranged (lit. a fool)
5) [line 40] KESHE'HU CHALIM ZAVIN - he sold his properties when he was sane
6) [line 40] SHOTEH - (lit. a fool) a person who is mad or deranged
(a) A person is classified as a Shoteh if he regularly, because of madness,
destroys or loses that which is given to him, sleeps in a cemetery, goes out
alone at night or tears his clothes (Chagigah 3b). According to the RAMBAM
(Hilchos Edus 9:9), a person is a Shoteh if he regularly exhibits a form of
irrational behaviour.
(b) A Shoteh is exempt from performing Mitzvos and is not punished for his
transgressions. His purchases and sales are meaningless and are not binding.
31b---------------------------------------31b
7) [line 2] "YAGID ALAV REI'O..." - "The noise of the storm tells of it..."
(Iyov 36:33) - Abaye takes this verse out of context, using it to mean, "His
companion will testify about it," as he proceeds to explain.
8) [line 23] MI'PIHEM V'LO MI'PI KESAVAM - "From their mouths but not from
their writings"
(a) With regard to giving testimony, the Torah commands that testimony be
accepted specifically from the mouths of the witnesses themselves, and not
from any document or written report that they send to Beis Din.
(b) The Rishonim argues as to the limitations of this Halachah:
1. RASHI (Commentary to the Torah, Devarim 19:15) writes categorically that
witnesses may not send to Beis Din any written testimony. (This does not
disqualify the use of a Shtar (document of sale or transfer) in court,
because a Shtar is prepared with the consent of the parties involved, and
not by the witnesses themselves -- BA'AL HA'ME'OR, ad loc.)
2. According to Rabeinu Tam (cited by TOSFOS DH d'Chazu), the Halachah of
mi'Pihem v'Lo mi'Pi Kesavam does not invalidate written testimony. Rather,
it only restricts testimony in two situations: 1. Witnesses who are mute and
cannot testify and 2. witnesses who forgot their testimony and must use
notes or written reports in order to testify (such as in a case where they
recorded details of what they saw before they forgot the incident).
3. RI (TOSFOS ibid.) claims that even if witnesses forgot the incident, they
may still give testimony based upon notes or a written report, as long as
they testify about *what they saw* in the written report. They may not
testify about *the incident* itself, as if they remember it presently.
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