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Beit Midrash
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The mishna says: "They would check the witnesses with seven chakirot (a certain type of questions): During which sabbatical cycle did [the event] take place? During which year? Which month? What day of the month? What day [of the week]? At what time? In what place? Do you recognize him? If he was worshipping an idol, which was it, and how did he worship it?" In general, we can say that the interrogation deals with the timing of the event, the place, and certain crucial parameters about the event.
The mishna also discusses a secondary set of questions called bedikot. These are more detailed descriptions of the event, which are less fundamental to the legal issue at hand. The mishna says that the more bedikot that are asked, the better. The difference between chakirot and bedikot is that regarding the former, if a witness says that he is not sure of the answer to the question, his testimony is inadmissible, whereas regarding the latter, a witness can say he does not remember. However, even regarding bedikot, if the witnesses contradict each other, their testimony is thrown out. The type of question that would be included in bedikot is on details such as a description of the murderer’s clothing and the appearance of the ground upon which the murder took place.
There are three ways to explain the need for chakirot: 1) It makes it possible to expose the witnesses as eidim zomemin, witnesses who are confirmed to have been at a different place from the one where they say they saw the event at the time they said it transpired. 2) It clarifies the testimony, making it more likely that the witness remembers the story accurately and that he is not either mistaken or overly vague. 3) It gives the opportunity to find contradictions between the set of testimonies of the two witnesses.
Based on the first reason (the possibility of being zomemin), we understand why the absolute need to answer the questions applies specifically to chakirot. Only if the witness has to commit to the exact time and place is it possible that someone will be able to say that he was elsewhere at the time in question (Sanhedrin 41b). Rashi (to Sanhedrin 40b) calls these questions the chakirot of hazama. This is distinguished from other important chakirot that are required for other reasons, e.g., that the offense was committed in a manner that there would be capital punishment.
P'ninat Mishpat (829)
Various Rabbis
133 - Precedence in the Payment of Multiple Debts
134 - Interrogation of Witnesses
135 - Interrogation of Witnesses
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Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Agricultural Water Rights – part I
based on ruling 84122 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Tuition Payment after Withdrawing Student
based on ruling 85142 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: A Seller with Questionable Rights to the Property – part II
based on ruling 84062 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
