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How does ed echad work for tumah when the Torah (תורה) normally requires two witnesses? The shiur develops that kinuy and stirah with ed echad functions because it creates raglayim l'davar - together they constitute valid edus on tumah, even without direct eyewitness testimony of the forbidden act.
This shiur examines Gemara (גמרא) Kesubos 9a's discussion of the sotah process, specifically addressing the complex interplay between kinuy (warning), stirah (seclusion), and ed echad (single witness) for tumah. The central question revolves around how a single witness can be believed regarding tumah when the Torah (תורה) typically requires two witnesses for testimony. Rabbi Zweig analyzes the dispute between Rashi (רש"י) and Tosafos (תוספות) regarding the mechanics of this halacha (הלכה). Rashi explains that ed echad works because when combined with kinuy and stirah, it creates raglayim l'davar (circumstantial evidence) that establishes she was mezanah. The kinuy and stirah provide the foundation, and the ed echad adds sufficient proof to make it like proper edus. This is compared to cases where witnesses see yichud (seclusion) for kiddushin, which is considered as if they witnessed the actual biah.
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Kesubos 9a
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