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Mishna Game

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  • Do the Chachomim think personal feelings always affect judgment?
    No, they believe people can still tell the truth even if they have feelings about someone.
  • What do the Chachomim say in response to Rabbi Yehuda?
    They say that Jewish people are not suspected of lying in court because of love or hate.
  • According to Rabbi Yehuda, are people who love or hate still trusted to be honest in court?
    No, he believes they may not be fully fair.
  • Is someone disqualified just for having feelings, or do their actions matter too?
    Their actions matter—for example, if they stopped talking to someone for three days.
  • Name three relatives mentioned in the Mishnah who are disqualified.
    Brother, uncle (paternal or maternal), brother-in-law.
  • Is a stepson disqualified from being a witness? What about the stepson’s children?
    The stepson is disqualified, but his children are not.
  • Is a person’s stepfather allowed to be a judge or witness? Why or why not?
    No, because he is considered a close relative.
  • Besides relatives, who else is not allowed to serve as a judge or witness?
    Someone who loves or hates one of the people in the case.
  • How does the Mishnah define someone who hates the litigant?
    Someone who hasn’t spoken to the person for three days because of hate.
  • According to Rabbi Yosei, whose opinion is the list based on?
    Rabbi Akiva
  • Who is an example of someone who might love one of the sides?
    A groomsman (someone close from a wedding).
  • What does Rabbi Yehuda say if the couple had children?
    He says they are still considered relatives because of the children.
  • What if the daughter passed away before the trial – is her husband still considered a relative?
    According to most opinions, no, unless they had children together.
  • Why is someone who loves one side disqualified?
    Because they may favor that person and not be fair.
  • Why are only paternal relatives disqualified in the earlier version?
    Because they are the ones who can inherit, making them more connected.
  • What about a father-in-law or a son-in-law – are they allowed to be witnesses?
    No, both are considered close family and are disqualified.
  • If someone married a litigant’s daughter but divorced her before the trial, can he be a witness?
    Yes, because they are no longer related at the time of the trial.
  • Why is hatred a reason to be disqualified from judging?
    Because hate can cloud judgment and lead to unfair decisions.
  • When does a relationship through marriage count to disqualify a person?
    That relationships through marriage can still count if children were born from them.
  • What lesson can we learn from this Mishnah about fairness in judgment?
    Judges and witnesses must be completely fair and not let family ties or emotions affect the truth.
  • When is someone considered a relative for disqualification?
    Only if they are related at the time of the trial.
  • Are maternal relatives allowed to serve as judges or witnesses?
    Yes, because they are not able to inherit and are not considered as close legally.
  • What is the difference between Rabbi Akiva’s version and the original version of the Mishna?
    Rabbi Akiva includes more relatives; the original only disqualified paternal relatives who can inherit.
  • Are the children of disqualified relatives also disqualified?
    Yes, their sons and sons-in-law are also considered relatives.
  • Why are close relatives not allowed to be judges or witnesses in a case?
    Because they might be biased and not able to judge fairly.
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