Translation:Mishnah/Seder Nezikin/Tractate Sanhedrin/Chapter 3/2

Introduction

Sanhedrin deals primarily with the court and with court cases. The third chapter of Sanhedrin is focused on witnesses and court proceedings.

The second mishnah of this chapter deals with retracting witnesses and oaths as acceptable.

Hebrew Text

אמר לו נאמן עלי אבא, נאמן עלי אביך, נאמנין עלי שלשה רועי בקר , רבי מאיר אומר, יכול לחזור בו.

וחכמים אומרים, אינו יכול לחזור בו.

היה חיב לחברו שבועה ואמר לו דור לי בחיי ראשך, רבי מאיר אומר, יכול לחזור בו.

וחכמים אומרים, אינו יכול לחזור בו.

English Translation

(If) one says to another: 'my father is trustworthy to me,' or 'your father is trustworthy to me,' or 'three herdsmen are trustworthy to me,' Rabbi Meir says he can take it back. But the sages say he cannot take it back. (If) one obligated the other with an oath and said to him, 'vow to me by the life of your head,' Rabbi Meir says he can take it back. But the sages say he cannot take it back.

Explanation

This is a very brief disagreement between Rabbi Meir and the sages as to what can and cannot be retracted in court proceedings. Ultimately, the law follows the sages, and once a witness is declared okay by one party, barring unforeseen circumstances (such as evidence brought that the witness is generally prohibited), this cannot be retracted by the same party. Similarly, a life-oath cannot be retracted.