Responsa for Shevuot 60:15

מנין לדיין שיודע בדין שהוא מרומה שלא יאמר הואיל והעדים מעידין אחתכנו ויהא

the positive precept enjoining respect for the Torah<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And its exponents.');">²⁹</span> is greater. <br>(Mnemonic: Advocate, Uncultured, Robbery, False.) Our Rabbis taught: How do we know that a judge should not appoint an advocate for his words?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Should not endeavour to bolster up his decision (though realising he has made a mistake) by an advocate, i.e., by trying to think of further arguments to support it, because he is ashamed to change his view.');">³⁰</span> - Because it is said: From a false matter keep far.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ex. XXIII, 7.');">³¹</span> And how do we know that a judge should not allow an uncultured disciple to sit before him?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When trying a case, in order to discuss the arguments with him, for he may suggest wrong views to him.');">³²</span> Because it is said: From a false matter keep far. And how do we know that a judge who knows his colleague to be a robber, or a witness who knows his colleague to be a robber, should not join with him?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To judge, or to give evidence.');">³³</span> Because it is said: From a false matter keep far. And how do we know that a judge who knows that a plea is false<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Having concluded from the evidence of the witnesses that they are not speaking the truth.');">³⁴</span> should not say, Since the witnesses give evidence, I will decide it,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In accordance with their evidence.');">³⁵</span> and

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