Shoftim 19:16 · unit 2

TT #243 · Parashas Shoftim · Sixth Aliyah · Passuk 19:16

The Complete Passuk

כִּֽי־יָק֥וּם עֵד־חָמָ֖ס בְּאִ֑ישׁ לַעֲנ֥וֹת בּ֖וֹ סָרָֽה׃

If a malicious witness rises up against a man to testify against him of rebellion.

Torah Temimah points to Makkot 5a.

TT lemma: לַעֲנוֹת בּוֹ סָרָה.

Core Text

לַעֲנוֹת בּוֹ סָרָה – דָּבָר שֶׁסָּר מִן הַדִּין.

English: ‘To testify against him of rebellion’ – a matter that turns aside from the law.

On the daf / in context: False testimony that seeks to pervert justice.

Derash on the nature of the falsehood (Bavli) — the testimony is a deviation from truth and law.

The malicious witness rises to give testimony that turns aside from the truth, aiming to produce an unjust verdict.