Derasha on Bamidbar 35:30 · TT unit 3

Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:30 · TT note 3

The Complete Passuk

כָּל־מַכֵּה־נֶ֗פֶשׁ לְפִ֣י עֵדִ֔ים יִרְצַ֖ח אֶת־הָרֹצֵ֑חַ וְעֵ֣ד אֶחָ֔ד לֹא־יַעֲנֶ֥ה בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ לָמֽוּת׃

Torah Temimah points to Sanhedrin 33b (TT note on “וְעֵד אֶחָד לֹא יַעֲנֶה”).

Core Text — Sanhedrin 33b

וְעֵד אֶחָד לֹא יַעֲנֶה — לֹא יַעֲנֶה בֵּין לִזְכוּת בֵּין לְחוֹבָה.

English: “A single witness shall not answer” — he shall not answer either for acquittal or for conviction.

A lone witness may neither convict nor acquit in a capital case.

In capital matters a single witness is barred from any testimony that would affect the verdict, whether for guilt or innocence.