Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Bava Batra 276:9

אמר רב נחמן אמר לי הונא תנא רבי מאיר אומר אין כותבין וחכמים אומרים כותבין ואף רבי מאיר לא אמר אלא משום בית דין טועין אמר רב דימי מנהרדעא הלכתא אין חוששין לבית דין טועין

these are the words of R. Meir. But the Sages say: [The witnesses must] not write unless they know [the statement to be true].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Because a memorandum signed by witnesses may sometimes lead a court to a wrong decision through the assumption that the witnesses had verified the statement. ');"><sup>23</sup></span> Consequently, when [the debt] is collected, there is no need for proof to be produced.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The existence of a written document is sufficient evidence that the witnesses had satisfied themselves of the veracity of the statements it contains. ');"><sup>24</sup></span> R. Nahman said: Huna told me [that] a tanna reported [the following]: R. Meir said, '[The witnesses] must not write', and the Sages say, 'They may write'; and even R. Meir said this<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That the witnesses may not put the statements on record. ');"><sup>25</sup></span>

Explore responsa for Bava Batra 276:9. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.

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