Q&A: Disqualified as a Witness
Disqualified as a Witness
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I’m getting married soon, and the rabbi officiating our wedding told me that one of the things that disqualifies a witness is regularly violating one of the commandments, provided that this is publicly known. For example, an unmarried man who does not observe the laws of physical contact and everyone knows it, or who posts pictures on social media showing himself touching girls.
He added that even an unmarried man who has a smartphone is presumed to commit transgressions, and therefore this would fall into the above category.
Does the Rabbi agree with what he said?
Can the Rabbi point me to sources on the topic?
Thank you
Answer
Owning a smartphone does not disqualify anyone from serving as a witness. If the rabbi told you such a thing, he’s an idiot. Get a different rabbi. As for someone who is a willful transgressor in one specific matter, that is a complicated topic, and this is not the place for it.
If he’s a human being, then there’s a presumption that he stumbles in the “dust of slander” (“and everyone is guilty of the dust of slander”), so don’t take human beings as witnesses at your wedding canopy…
Besides that, congratulations!! And you should find a kosher creature to testify who isn’t human 😉