Many respected scholars tell a person that Reuven owes Shimon money. May that person testify based on their reports?
Testimony requires personal sight or direct knowledge (v'hu ed, o ra'ah, o yada). Testifying based on the reports of others — no matter how credible — constitutes false testimony and violates a Torah prohibition.
Question 2
What is the court procedure when examining witnesses in financial cases?
After warning witnesses publicly, the court sends everyone out except the most senior witness. He is questioned privately — 'How do you know this?' Then the second witness is brought in and questioned the same way.
Question 3
A person hides witnesses, then tricks his debtor into privately admitting the debt — but the debtor adds 'I'm afraid you'll sue me.' Is this valid testimony?
A private admission tinged with the context of legal fear is not valid testimony. The Rambam rules that an admission must be made openly before witnesses to carry legal weight.
Question 4
A teacher tells his student: 'Stand near the witness even though you won't testify, so the debtor thinks there are two witnesses and confesses.' What is the halacha?
Even appearing to be a witness while knowing you aren't one is forbidden. The Rambam cites Exodus 23:7 — 'Keep distant from words of falsehood' — which prohibits even creating a false impression.
Question 5
If a person hires false witnesses to testify for him, what is his legal status?
One who hires false witnesses is exempt from human court liability but bears moral and spiritual (divine) accountability. Similarly, a single witness who suppresses testimony is not humanly liable but bears divine accountability.