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 city resident may not testify regarding a matter of which they stand to benefit, unless they completely remove themselves from the benefit through an acquisition.

Halacha 2: A stolen Torah scroll

• If a Torah scroll was stolen from a congregation, then the judges of that congregation may not act as a judge regarding the case, and it is rather to be brought to the judges of a neighboring congregation.

Halacha 3: Charity donations

• One who pledged a donation to the core residents of the city, may not have the case judged by the judges of that city, and the city residents may not testify regarding it if the support of the city paupers falls upon the community.

Halacha 4: Testifying on behalf of partner of real estate

• Partners may not testify regarding each other’s real estate property unless they completely remove themselves from the partnership.

Halacha 5: A sharecropper and renter testifying on behalf of the owner

• A sharecropper may not testify on behalf of the owner regarding the field during times of the field contains produce.
• However, the renter of a field may testify on behalf of the owner even in times that it contains produce, if he has yet to pay the rent.

Halacha 6: A guarantor or buyer testifying on behalf of the borrower or seller

• A guarantor or buyer may only testifying on behalf of the borrower or seller if it will not cause them any possible loss.