Why Women Don’t Testify

Shavua Tov. Rabbi Soloveitchik has an unusual explanation as to why women are not allowed to be judges or witnesses in a Jewish court.

He says that his answer is connected to the rules related to a king, discussed in today’s Parsha. A king is also not allowed to judge or testify. The Rav felt that there is a certain degree of degradation involved in having to go to court.

A witness is cross examined and accused of not properly relating facts. Judges often take abuse from the litigants as well.

Just as a king is protected from being dishonored in a court situation, so, too, we protect the honor of our women from being shamed or dishonored in any way.