Faith & Reason Nexus

In Hebrew criminal law, the process of examining witnesses was divided into two distinct sets of questions:

1. HAKIROTH (First Set of Questions)

These questions were designed to establish the basic details surrounding the alleged crime. They were mandated by law and could not be altered in any way. Each witness was required to answer the following seven questions:

1. “Was it during a year of Jubilee?”
2. “Was it in an ordinary year?”
3. “In what month?”
4. “On what day of the month?”
5. “At what hour?”
6. “In what place?”
7. “Do you identify this person?”

The answers to these questions were crucial in determining the exact timing and circumstances of the crime. If any witness failed to provide satisfactory answers to any of these questions, the accused was entitled to an immediate acquittal.

2. BEDIKOTH (Second Set of Questions)

These questions pertained to the investigation of the relevant circumstances and corroborative facts surrounding the case. They were designed to explore the context and supporting evidence of the crime, but were not as rigid as the HAKIROTH questions.

Together, these sets of questions formed a detailed framework for evaluating the testimony of witnesses in Hebrew criminal law, ensuring fairness and precision in the legal process.