Chapter 1: The power of the Supreme Court Halacha 1: The obligation to adhere to the Supreme court’s rulings The foundation of the oral Torah: The Supreme Court in Jerusalem is considered the main pillar of the oral Torah and its instructions, from which laws are legislated for the entire […]

Chapter 22: The punishments for Eidim Zomimim-false witnesses Halacha 1 – Contradictory Groups of Witnesses If two groups contradict each other and one witness from each group testifies together on another matter, their testimony is invalid because one must be lying. If each group testifies separately on unrelated matters, their […]

Chapter 21: The punishments for Eidim Zomimim-false witnesses Halacha 1: Divorce-Testifying falsely regarding a divorce Must pay market value of Kesuba: Witnesses who falsely testified [i.e. Eidim Zomimim] that a man had divorced his wife, must pay the market value of the Kesuba document, as it would be sold for […]

Chapter 20: Punishment of False Witnesses and Rules of Hazamah Halacha 1 – Conditions for Punishing False Witnesses False witnesses are not executed, lashed, or fined unless: Both were fit to testify. Both were disqualified through hazamah after judgment was rendered. If only one was disqualified, or disqualification occurred before […]

Chapter 19: The Laws of Hazamah – Disqualifying Witnesses Through Contradiction Halacha 1 – Conditions for Hazamah (Refuting Witnesses) If two witnesses testify about a murder in one location and two others claim the first pair was elsewhere: If both locations are visible to each other, the first pair is […]

Chapter 18: Eid Zomeim-The punishment of a false witness Halacha 1: The retribution given to a false witness Whoever testified falsely and is known to have testified falsely, is considered an Eid Zomeim and is liable to have done to him whatever he wanted to do to his fellow. This […]

Chapter 17: The criteria for admissible testimony Halacha 1: The prohibition against hearsay It is forbidden for one to testify regarding a certain matter until he actually witnesses it either by seeing it with his own eyes or hears it it with his own ears. Was told the information by […]

Chapter 16: A biased witnesses Cont. Halacha 1: A victim of robbery testifying regarding his stolen item A victim of robbery may not testify regarding an item or property that was stolen from him, such as to testify that it does not belong to a third party who is also […]

Chapter 15: A biased witness Halacha 1: The law by a biased witness It is forbidden for one who stands to gain from a certain testimony to testify regarding that matter, as this is as if he is testifying about himself. City residents testifying regarding a public matter: Accordingly, a […]

Chapter 14: scenarios in which an invalid witness becomes valid Halacha 1: The status of a spouse invalidation after the death of the wife A man who was invalid for testimony on one’s behalf due to being a husband of one’s relative, becomes revalidated after his wife, who is one’s […]

Chapter 13: The invalidation of witnesses due to being a relative Halacha 1 – Scriptural Disqualification of Relatives Relatives cannot serve as witnesses by Torah law, based on 24:16. Fathers cannot testify for sons and vice versa; this applies to other close paternal relatives. Maternal relatives and in-laws are disqualified […]

Chapter 12: The invalidation and subsequent validation process of a Rasha Halacha 1: Must the transgressor be previously warned to be invalidated as a witness The testimony needed to invalidate a person due to him being a Rasha: A person becomes invalid for testimony the moment two witnesses testify that […]

Halacha 1: An ignoramus An individual who does not study Torah, Scripture, or the Mishneh, and does not socially participate in the religious community, is automatically considered a Rasha, and his testimony is rabbinically invalid, as certainly such an individual transgresses many of the laws. Halacha 2: The validation process […]

Chapter 10: Reshaim Halacha 1: The invalidation of a Rasha Reshaim are biblically invalid to testify. Testifying with a Rasha: It is forbidden for a valid witness to testify together with a Rasha, even though he knows that his testimony is true. It goes without saying that it’s for been […]

Chapter 9: Invalid witnesses Halacha 1: The 10 invalid witnesses There are 10 categories of disqualifications for witnesses: women slaves children mentally incompetent [i.e. Shoteh] the deaf-mute the blind A Rasha low lives who lack no shame relatives one who is biased Halacha 2: Women invalidation’s Women are biblically invalid […]

Chapter 8: The requirement for the witnesses to recall the testimony Halacha 1: Testifying on one’s signature if one has no recollection of the loan A witness who is asked to testify to his signature on a document is only to do so in the event that he remembers the […]

Chapter 7: Testifying regarding the signatures on a document Halacha 1: May a relative testify? It is valid for a relative of the witness that is signed on the document to testify regarding its validity. Son testifying on father signature: For example, the sons of the witnesses who signed may […]

Chapter 6: Verifying the authenticity of a document Halacha 1: Verifying the authenticity of a document The verification of the authenticity of a document is only rabbinically required. Three people: A tribunal of three is needed to verify the authenticity of a document. Ordinary people: Even three ordinary people may […]

Chapter 5: The Testimony of a Single Witness and When a Witness Serves as a Judge Halacha 1: The Testimony of a Lone Witness Not Valid for Verdicts: A lone witness’s testimony cannot be used in court to render a verdict. This rule applies to both civil and capital cases. […]

Chapter 2: Chakiros, Derishos & Bedikos Halacha 1: The difference between Chakiros and Derishos versus Bedikos Chakiros and Derishos: By the interrogations of Chakiros and Derishos, if the statement of the two witnesses do not match, or one of them says he doesn’t know the answer to a question, then […]

Hilchos Eidus Chapter 1: The Laws of Witnesses – Principles of Testimony and Judicial Interrogation Overview: This chapter introduces eight mitzvot related to testimony—three positive and five negative. It explains the obligation to testify, the process of questioning witnesses, and the principles that ensure justice through accurate and thorough testimony. […]

Chapter 26: The prohibition against cursing a judge or any other Jew Halacha 1: The prohibition against cursing a Jew A Judge, King, and Nassi: Whoever curses a judge of Israel, or the leader of the Sanhedrin, or a king, transgresses a negative command. A regular Jew: Furthermore, even one […]

Chapter 25: Leadership and Judicial Authority – Sanhedrin Chapter 25 (Halachot 1–11) Overview: This chapter sets ethical standards for judges and communal leaders, emphasizing humility, respect for the public, and proper conduct. It also details procedures for enforcing court authority, including excommunication and deadlines, while safeguarding dignity and fairness. Halacha […]

Chapter 24:  Judicial Discretion and Emergency Measures – (Halachot 1–10) Overview: These halachot address the judge’s discretionary power in civil cases, the limits of relying on personal conviction, and extraordinary measures courts may take to safeguard the Torah and public morality. They balance strict legal procedure with practical authority for […]

Chapter 21: Judicial Conduct and Courtroom Ethics – (Halachot 1–11) Overview: These halachos outline the ethical and procedural standards for judges and litigants in Jewish law. They emphasize fairness, equality, impartiality, and integrity in the judicial process, ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done. Halacha […]

Chapter 20: Principles of Judicial Integrity Overview: This section establishes core principles for Jewish courts: justice must be based on clear evidence, impartiality, humility, and equality. It forbids favoritism, rash rulings, and arrogance, ensuring fairness for all—including the vulnerable. Halacha 1 – No Execution on Circumstantial Evidence Courts may not […]

Chapter 19: List of Negative commands that entail Malkus Halacha 1 – 21 Negative Commandments that have Kareis, not execution, and have Malkus Relations with sister Relations with father’s sister Relations with mother’s sister Relations with wife’s sister Relations with brother’s wife Relations with wife of father’s brother Relations with […]

Chapter 18 – Who Receives Lashes and Special Punitive Measures Overview This chapter defines which transgressions incur lashes, exceptions to the rule, and special cases such as repeated offenses, lack of acceptance of warning, and crimes punished by zealots. It also clarifies that lashes or execution require two witnesses and […]

Chapter 17: Laws of Administering Lashes (Malkot) Overview This chapter explains how lashes are administered to those liable for malkot, including the number of lashes, assessment of physical capacity, timing, multiple penalties, exemptions, and restoration of status after punishment. It also addresses special cases such as priests and leaders. Summary […]

Chapter 14: Four Court-Imposed Death Penalties and Their Rules Overview This chapter explains the four types of executions administered by the court—stoning, burning, decapitation, and strangulation—their sources, relative severity, and when each applies. It also covers procedural laws regarding execution, burial, and the conditions under which capital cases are judged, […]

Chapter 13 – Procedures for Carrying Out Capital Punishment Halacha 1 – Announcing and Reviewing the Sentence When a person’s death sentence is finalized, they are taken out of the court. A person stands at the entrance with a cloth in hand, and a horse is ready at a distance. […]

Chapter 12: Procedures for Capital Cases – Warning, Witness Examination, and Execution Overview This section explains how capital cases are judged: the requirement for witness recognition and warning, the process of intimidating and examining witnesses, the deliberation and verdict procedure, and rules for carrying out execution without delay. Summary of […]

Chapter 11: Differences Between Monetary and Capital Cases – Judicial Rules Overview This section compares monetary cases (dinei mamonot) and capital cases (dinei nefashot), detailing differences in court size, deliberation process, voting rules, timing, and eligibility of judges. It also addresses special cases like the mesit (enticer to idolatry) and […]

Chapter 10: Regulations applicable to a judges verdict Overview This section outlines critical rules for judges and scholars in capital cases: independence of judgment, prohibition against bias, proper order of deliberation, and procedures for error correction. It emphasizes fairness, impartiality, and safeguards against wrongful conviction. Halacha 1 – Independent Judgment […]

Chapter 8: Property of Captives, Fugitives, and Minors Overview This chapter establishes safeguards for property management when an owner is taken captive, flees, or is reported dead, especially when minors are involved. It prohibits giving property to relatives in sharecropping arrangements to prevent future disputes and outlines procedures for appointing […]

Nachalot – Chapter 7  Proof of Death and Management of Property Overview This chapter explains the requirement for heirs to provide clear proof of death before receiving an inheritance, even when testimony is sufficient for a widow to remarry. It also details procedures for managing property of those who are […]

Chapter 4: Acknowledgment of Heirs and Presumptions Overview This chapter addresses how a person’s statements about family relationships affect inheritance, including acknowledgment of heirs, denial of relationships, customs-related declarations, and presumptions based on reputation. It also covers complex cases involving maidservants, Torah scholars, and disputes among siblings. Numbered Halachot with […]

Chapter 3 The Firstborn’s Rights in Specific Assets Overview This chapter clarifies which assets the firstborn (bechor) receives a double portion from, and which he does not. It addresses property held by the father at death versus property expected later, cases of appreciation, loans, sales before division, and the rights […]

Laws of Inheritance – Chapter 2 The Firstborn’s Double Portion Overview This chapter explains the Torah law granting the firstborn son (bechor) a double portion of his father’s estate, the conditions for eligibility, exceptions, and verification of firstborn status. It also clarifies cases involving uncertain birth order, special circumstances, and […]

Nechalos Chapter 1: Laws of Inheritance Overview This chapter explains the Torah’s system of inheritance: who inherits first, the priority between male and female heirs, and how inheritance proceeds through generations. It also addresses special cases such as family relationships, illegitimate children, and the husband’s rights to his wife’s property. […]

Chapter 16: To’en veNit’an – Final Section: Witnesses, Claims, and False Testimony Overview This section addresses rules about witnesses who signed a deed and later challenge ownership, judges’ rights to contest, advisory roles, disputes over possession and produce, rental payments, and the prohibition against false claims. It emphasizes integrity in […]

Hilchot To’en veNit’an– Chapter 13: Cases Where Possession Does Not Establish Ownership Overview This chapter explains when eating produce for three years does not create a presumption of ownership (חֲזָקָה). It lists categories of people whose possession is not considered proof, due to trust, status, or power, and notes exceptions. […]

Hilchot To’en veNit’an – Chapter 12: Chazakah: Laws of Presumptive Ownership and Their Practical Applications   📘 Overview – Hilchot To’en veNit’an (Chazakah Details) This section elaborates on the laws of chazakah (presumptive ownership), focusing on what constitutes valid possession for three years, the types of properties involved, and the […]

Hilchot To’en veNit’an – Chapter 11: Presumption of Land Ownership and the Laws of Chazakah Overview This chapter discusses the halachic principles of presumed ownership (chazakah) regarding landed property. It explains when possession is considered valid, how long one must occupy land to establish ownership, and the role of protests, […]

Chapter 10: Laws of Disputed Ownership and Possession of animals, slaves and ships Overview: This chapter discusses various cases of disputed ownership involving animals, slaves, movable property, and shared items. It outlines the principles of possession, the role of witnesses, the validity of claims, and the procedures followed by Beit […]

Toein Vinitan Chapter 9 Title: Ownership and Possession Disputes Regarding Movable Property and Repairs Overview: This chapter from Rambam’s Hilchot To’en VeNit’an (Laws of Claims and Counterclaims) addresses complex legal scenarios involving disputes over ownership of movable items (kelim), particularly when they are in the possession of craftsmans (umanim), renters, […]

📘 To’en veNit’an – Chapter 6: Proper Claims and Responses in Beit Din ✅ Overview This chapter outlines the protocol for presenting claims and responses in Beit Din. It emphasizes the need for clear, detailed statements from both parties to avoid confusion and prevent false oaths. It also discusses when […]

To’en veNit’an Chapter 5: Cases Exempt from Torah Oaths and Rabbinic Safeguards 📘 Overview This chapter outlines cases where Torah law does not obligate an oath, even when there is partial admission, a single witness, or a claim involving guardianship. It focuses on property types exempt from Torah oaths, the […]

To’en veNit’an – Chapter 4 📘 Overview of Chapter 4 – Conditions for Modeh B’miktzat and Oath Obligations This chapter continues the laws of modeh b’miktzat (partial admission), focusing on the conditions under which a Torah-mandated oath applies. It emphasizes the importance of measurable claims, admissions that can be denied, […]

To’en veNit’an – Chapter 3 📘 Overview of Chapter 3 – The Laws of “Modeh B’miktzat” (Partial Admission) and Oaths This chapter explores the Torah law that obligates a defendant to swear when they admit to part of a monetary claim (modeh b’miktzat). It defines the minimum amounts required for […]

To’en veNit’an – Chapter 2 📘 Overview of Chapter 2 – Suspected Individuals and Oaths This chapter addresses the halachic status of individuals who are suspected of dishonesty, particularly regarding taking oaths in monetary disputes. It outlines who is considered chashud (suspect), the implications for legal proceedings, and how oaths […]

Chapter 26: Laws of Guarantors in Loans 📘 Overview of Chapter 26 – Laws of Guarantors in Loans This chapter outlines the halachic framework for when and how a guarantor becomes liable for a loan, the conditions under which a lender may collect from a guarantor, and the rights of […]

Hilchot Malveh veLoveh – Chapter 19 🏷️ Title Chapter 19: Prioritizing Land in Debt Collection and Buyer Protections 📘 Overview This chapter outlines the halachic rules for collecting debts from a borrower’s property, focusing on which type of land may be seized—iddit (best), beinonit (average), or zibburit (lowest quality). It […]

Hilchot Malveh veLoveh – Chapter 15 Conditions on Loan Repayment and the Power of Testimony Overview This chapter explores the halachic implications of stipulating conditions on how a loan must be repaid—particularly when the lender demands repayment in the presence of witnesses or specific individuals. If the borrower claims to […]

Chapter 10: Lending Produce and the Boundaries of Ribit in Commodity Loans Overview This chapter addresses the halachic principles governing the lending of produce and other commodities, focusing on when such transactions are permitted and when they risk violating the prohibition of ribit (interest). The key distinction lies in whether […]

Chapter 9: Fixing Prices Before Market Rates and the Boundaries of Ribis in Commerce Overview This chapter explores the halachic guidelines for fixing prices on produce and goods before the market rate (sha’ar) is established. The central concern is avoiding transactions that resemble interest (ribit) when payment is made in […]

Chapter 8 Commercial Pricing and the Boundaries of Ribis Overview This chapter addresses the fine line between legitimate commerce and prohibited interest (Ribis) in sales transactions. While the Torah forbids charging interest on loans, the Sages extended this prohibition to certain pricing structures that mimic loan-based profit. The halachot clarify […]

Chapter 2: Debt Collection: Judicial Ethics and Safeguards for Borrowers   Overview: This chapter addresses the Torah’s approach to debt enforcement, emphasizing the delicate balance between a creditor’s right to collect and a debtor’s dignity and protection. The halachot outline the procedures for assessing a borrower’s assets, the limitations on […]

Chapter 1: Lending, Borrowing, and Debt Collection   Overview This chapter presents the Torah’s framework for financial relationships between individuals, focusing on the mitzvah to lend to fellow Jews in need and the ethical boundaries of debt collection. It includes twelve mitzvos—four positive and eight negative—covering lending, interest, collateral, and […]

Chapter 6: Oaths and Liability in the Laws of Guardianship: When Payment Requires Proof     Chapter Overview: This chapter addresses the nuanced halachic principles governing a guardian’s responsibilities when entrusted with another’s property. It explains when a guardian must pay without swearing—specifically for common, easily replaceable items—and when an […]

Chapter 5: Safeguarding Deposits: Standards of Care, Claims, and Accountability     Chapter Overview: This chapter explores the responsibilities and liabilities of individuals entrusted with safeguarding deposits, with a particular focus on nuanced scenarios that arise in Jewish law. It opens with cases involving charitable deposits and funds for redeeming […]

Chapter 4: The Responsibilities of an Unpaid Watchman     Chapter Overview: This chapter outlines the halachic framework governing the role of a שומר חינם (unpaid watchman). It begins with the Torah’s exemption from liability in cases of theft or loss—provided the watchman swears he was not negligent and did […]

Chapter 3: Liability in the Transfer and Return of Borrowed Property     Chapter Overview: Borrowing with Owner Present This section of Hilchot She’elah uFikkadon addresses the nuanced laws governing the transfer and return of borrowed property—particularly animals—when the item has not yet entered or has exited the borrower’s domain. […]

Chapter 2: Sheilah Bebalim – The law applicable if one borrows the Owner with the object     Chapter Overview: Borrowing with Owner Present This chapter discusses when a borrower is exempt from liability because the owner is working with them. It addresses borrowing between spouses, partners, and partnerships, noting […]

Chapter 1: The Laws Governing Borrowing and Entrusted Objects Liability for Borrowed Items Lost or Damaged When a person borrows movable property such as an animal or utensil and it is lost, stolen, or destroyed—even by uncontrollable circumstances—the borrower is generally liable to pay for the full value. However, if […]

Sechirut – Chapter 13: Animal’s Right to Eat While Working An animal must be allowed to eat while it is working with produce, whether the produce is attached or harvested. The animal may also eat from the load it carries until it is unloaded, but the handler should not feed […]

Sechirut – Chapter 12: Feeding employees 1. Right of Workers to Eat Produce During Work Workers engaged in activities that help finish the work on produce—whether harvested or still attached to the ground—are permitted by Torah law to eat from that produce while working. This applies only to paid workers, […]

Sechirut – Chapter 11: Laws of Paying Wages to a worker 1. Obligation to Pay Wages on Time It is a positive commandment to pay a worker’s wages on time, as stated in Deuteronomy. (Deut. 24:15). Delaying payment violates a negative commandment (“Do not let the sun set…”), though lashes […]

Sechirut – Chapter 10 Halacha 1 – Lender Holding Collateral A lender who takes security for a loan (money or produce, taken at the time of the loan or later) is a paid watchman. If the collateral is lost or stolen, he must pay its value. If loss was due […]

Sechirut – Chapter 9: Employment Law 1. Custom Determines Workers’ Rights and Employer Obligations The expectations for workers—such as start and end times, or the provision of meals and snacks—are set by local customs. 2. Determining Wage of employee when not discussed in the beginning of employment When a wage […]

Sechirut – Chapter 8: The laws of field rentals Rental Types Defined by fields that yield produce: When someone rents a field for a fixed payment of produce or money, he is called a chocher, whereas one who works the land and gives the owner a percentage of the yield […]