Bearing Grudges

Why Every Child Needs to Hear Stories about the Holocaust

U’vahem Nehgeh: Chazarah Chaburah

"Al Pi Shinayim Aydim Oh Shlosha Aydim Yumas HaMais"; "According to the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses shall the person be killed" Why does the pasuk say "Shnayim Aydim" as opposed to the more common "Shnay Aydim" like the pasuk says further (19:15)? The Netziv answers that there is a difference between the word "Shnayim" and "Shnay". "Shnay" - refers to 2 things that are identical as opposed to "Shnayim" - which refers to 2 things that are a bit different. For example, the pasuk says by the Keruvim - "Shnayim Keruvim" - since one had the face of a girl and one a boy, they were not identical; therefore the pasuk uses the terminology "Shnayim".

By witnesses, the Halacha states, if the witnesses testimonies are too identical, we must be concerned that maybe they are lying, and additional Chakiros (questioning) must be done. That is why the pasuk says, "Al Pi Shinayim Aydim" - because their testimony can't be identical. Since the Din of Chakiras HaAydim (questioning the witnesses) is derived from a case where the death penalty is being administered - "ViDarashta ViChakarta" - Parshas Re'eh - 13:15 - by the Parsha of Ir Hanidachas - the Torah writes "Shnayim" here, where we are dealing with the death penalty also (Avodah Zara), as opposed to the pasuk further (19:15) where the topic is Dinay Mamonis (Monetary Laws) - the Torah writes "Shnay".
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