Today we finish the first chapter of our massekhet and begin the second chapter with daf TB Rosh Hashana 22. Who are kosher witnesses is the topic that concludes the first chapter and begins the second chapter. "MISHNA: The following are unfit to give testimony, as they are considered thieves and robbers: One who plays with dice [kubbiyya] or other games of chance for money; and those who lend money with interest; and those who race pigeons and place wagers on the outcome; and merchants who deal in produce of the Sabbatical Year, which may be eaten, but may not be an object of commerce; and slaves. This is the principle: Any testimony for which a woman is unfit, these too are unfit. Although in certain cases a woman’s testimony is accepted, e.g., to testify to the death of someone’s husband, in the majority of cases her testimony is not valid... MISHNA: If the members of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem are not familiar with that one who saw the new moon, i.e., that he is a valid witness, the members of his local court of twenty-three send another with him to testify about him. The mishna adds: Initially, the court would accept testimony to determine the start of the month from any person, as all are presumed to be qualified witnesses, absent any disqualifying factors. However, when the Boethusians, a sect whose members had their own opinions with regard to the establishment of the Festivals, corrupted the process by sending false witnesses to testify about the new moon, the Sages instituted that they would accept this testimony only from those men familiar to the Sanhedrin as valid witnesses." (Sefaria.org translation)
At first I was going to discuss the possibility of women being witnesses through the lens of Conservative Judaism. I changed my mind for two reasons. First, I want to respond about a story in the Gemara's analysis in light of the upcoming November 2nd election. Secondly, I have a chance to discuss the issue of women witnesses when we study massekhet Sanhedrin.
The Torah says (Deuteronomy 19:15): "One witness shall not arise against a man for any sin or guilt that he may commit; according to two witnesses or according to three witnesses a matter shall stand." Thus, two witnesses provide conclusive proof of reality, but one witness does not. Even though two witnesses are usually required, the Gemara tells a story when one witness is good enough. "When Ulla came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: They sanctified the New Moon on a certain date in the West, Eretz Yisrael. Although Ulla was the only witness, his testimony was accepted. Rav Kahana said: It is not necessary to say that Ulla, who is a great man, is deemed credible with regard to such testimony. Rather, even an ordinary person is deemed credible in this case, and there is no need for two witnesses. What is the reason for this? With regard to any matter that is likely to be revealed, people do not lie about it. The Gemara comments that this is also taught in a baraita: If one person comes from the other end of the world and says: The court sanctified the new month, he is deemed credible. There is no need for two witnesses." (Sefaria.org translation)
I don't have the same faith in humanity refraining from lying when the truth will be revealed to everyone based on Jewish history. "The big lie (German: große Lüge) is a gross distortion or misrepresentation of the truth, used especially as a propaganda technique.[1][2] The German expression was coined by Adolf Hitler, when he dictated his 1925 book Mein Kampf, to describe the use of a lie so colossal that no one would believe that someone "could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously." Hitler claimed the technique was used by Jews to blame Germany's loss in World War I on German general Erich Ludendorff, who was a prominent nationalist political leader in the Weimar Republic. Historian Jeffrey Herf says the Nazis used the idea of the original big lie to turn sentiment against Jews and bring about the Holocaust." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_lie)
I am so concerned for my country and democracy because of the big lie that the last election was stolen and Trump was really the winner. This lie has been debunked time and time again and proven false even by other Republicans or Trump supporters. Nevertheless, Trump and his minions continue to claim that the 2020 election was stolen (see:https://www.wsj.com/articles/president-donald-trump-2020-election-fraud-pennsylvania-ballots-11635280347 and the Washington Post's refutation see:https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/10/27/14-things-you-need-know-about-trumps-letter-wall-street-journal/). As late as August 2021 the poll showed that two thirds of Republicans still believed that the 2020 election was rigged (https://news.yahoo.com/poll-two-thirds-of-republicans-still-think-the-2020-election-was-rigged-165934695.html) . I constantly hear that Republicans inside Congress readily acknowledge in private that Trump lost, but are afraid to speak out in fear of losing Trump's base.
Even though this lie has been exposed as false time and time again, people still believe it. Because of this lie that undermines fair and free elections, our country can easily descend into authoritarianism. Consequently, I believe on election day we have to support committed and brave individuals who speak the truth whether they are Republicans, Democrats, or independence for the sake of our country and for the sake of democracy.
Just read this article in the Washington Post which proves beyond the shadow of a doubt in my mind that Trump incited the insurrection. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/warnings-jan-6-insurrection/
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