Do Not Be A Vein Witness
The second version of the Dibrot contains, “Do not be a vein witness”(Devarim 5:17), which is commonly understood as a prohibition against testifying falsely in court. However, the Chizkuni offers a deeper reading: this also warns against being a lone witness, even if telling the truth. Since the Torah explicitly requires two witnesses to establish a matter (Devarim 19:15), a single person testifying alone is testifying in vein. Their testimony is inherently unreliable and insufficient. A second witness serves to verify and confirm the first, highlighting that truth in Torah law is not based solely on sincerity, but on corroboration.
There is a powerful lesson here: even when we are confident in our perspective, we must acknowledge that we are inherently subjective. The Torah demands humility—recognizing that our perception may be flawed—and builds a system of justice that protects against error through the requirement of multiple, confirming voices. In this spirit, the Talmud (Berachot 4a) says, “Teach your tongue to say, “I do not know,”” reminding us that acknowledging the limits of our knowledge is not a weakness but a form of greatness.
Set your intention for the day by reciting The Aseret Affirmation: Ten for Ten first thing in the morning.
Wishing you safety and strength,
Nitzan Bergman