Why are women disqualified as witnesses according to Torah law?
Deuteronomy 17:6 uses the Hebrew masculine form 'shnayim edim' (two male witnesses). The Oral Tradition derives from this that women are not included in standard testimony requirements.
Question 2
A freed slave has not yet received his bill of manumission (get shichrur). May he testify?
A slave requires the formal get shichrur in his hand, along with immersion in a mikveh, to become a member of the covenant. Until then, even a verbally freed slave is disqualified.
Question 3
A boy of 13 years and one day has shown signs of physical maturity but is unfamiliar with business dealings. What testimony may he give?
A 13-year-old who has reached majority is accepted for testimony about movable property. For testimony about land, familiarity with business dealings is needed — his inexperience makes him unreliable for real-estate matters.
Question 4
A person walks normally and speaks coherently except in one specific area where his mind becomes confused. Is he acceptable as a witness?
The Rambam rules that mental instability is not limited to obvious external behavior. Anyone whose mind is persistently disordered in any matter falls into the category of 'shoteh' and is disqualified.
Question 5
A blind person has an excellent memory and can identify voices perfectly. May he serve as a witness?
Leviticus 5:1 says 'and he witnessed OR saw' — from which we derive that a witness must be capable of seeing. Blind persons, despite their other faculties, are Scripturally disqualified.