In the presence of which type of court may Biblically-mandated lashes be administered today?
According to Rambam, Biblically-mandated lashes can be administered today in the presence of three semichah-ordained judges. Lashes administered by non-ordained diaspora judges are only 'stripes for rebellious conduct.'
Question 2
How should the lashes be distributed across the body?
One-third of the lashes are administered on the chest between the nipples, and two-thirds on the back — one-third on each shoulder. This precise distribution is a halachic requirement.
Question 3
If a person's offense is punishable by both lashes and execution, and the court warned him regarding execution, what is the punishment?
When warned regarding execution, the person is executed and not lashed — the greater obligation subsumes the lesser. However, if the warning specified only lashes, he receives lashes.
Question 4
What happens if the court attendant administers one extra blow beyond the estimate, and the condemned person dies as a result?
The Torah says 'Do not add' (Deuteronomy 25:3). If the attendant adds one extra blow and the condemned dies, the attendant is exiled — it is treated as accidental manslaughter with culpable negligence.
Question 5
Who reads verses aloud during the administration of lashes?
The senior judge reads passages from Deuteronomy 28 throughout the lashing, timing the verses to conclude with the last blow. The second judge counts, and the third tells the attendant when to strike.