There are certain exceptions to the rule when false witnesses do not receive the punishment “that they tried to do to their brother.”  In those cases, they get lashes instead.  For example, if they testify about the status of a person (about a kohen that his father married a divorce) or that he killed accidentally and…

Witnesses testify falsely that one divorced his wife and didn’t’ pay the ketuba – how is the damage they were trying to cause him evaluated (since there was a chance he would have had to pay that money anyway – if he did divorce her down the road or in the event of death).  Likewise, if they…

Dedicated in memory of Shimon ben Yehuda Yirmiyahu. Different statements of Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rav are brought regarding mikvaot.   The mishna brings a basic argument between Rabbi Meir and the Rabbis about whether or not conspiring witnesses getting the punishment of what they conspired to do and also get lashes for the…

The basics of conspiring witnesses are discussed.  What is the difference between conspiring witnesses and contradictory testimony?  When the witnesses pay/lashes do they split the amount or do they each have to pay the full amount/get the full amount of lashes?  What happens in a case every group that comes is turn into conspiring witnesses…

Study Guide Makkot 7. The mishna and gemara discuss issues relating to the courts – upholding decisions by the same court after the prosecuted person has run away, a court upholding the decision of a different court, and others.  Should the courts be using capital punishment?  If so, how often?  The new chapter starts with…

There is further discussion of what types of cases would be considered accidental death that would get one sent to a refuge city and what would not fall into that category.  Various exceptions are brought and derived from the verses.

Study Guide Makkot 9. Does a child go to a city of refuge for killing a parent?  Can a slave or a Cuti (Shomronim) go to a city of refuge?  Does a Jew go for killing a slave or a Cuti?  For what cases does a ger toshav allowed to go?  For all these cases, contradictory sources…

Where were the cities set up?  They were chosen for geographical reasons.  There are certain criteria for the cities that they not be too small, too large, they have a water supply, a shuk, etc. to allow for proper protection and so that one does not need to leave the city for anything – even one’s…

The accidental killer speaks to the elders when he gets to the city.  The gemara derives a number of halachot from here.  The section in Yehoshua when he sets up cities of refuge is discussed.  The accidental killer leaves the city of refuge at the death of the Kohen Gadol.  Who qualifies as a Kohen Gadol? …

More details regarding the accidental killer are discussed – Where is he buried?  What happens if the kohen gadol if found out to be a chalal (son of a forbidden marriage)?  Is the relative of the victim allowed to kill the murderer if he leaves the city?  What if he is by a tree on…