For the source text click/tap here: Ketubot 21
To download, click/tap here: PDF
On our daf we struggle with the following issues: If a person testifies that a signature on a document is indeed his/her own, is s/he simultaneously testifying to the monetary agreement written into the contract? And if one witness dies, can the surviving witness testify to the validity of both signatures? Can a witness sign a shard of earthenware in the court to demonstrate the validity of his signature? In a pinch, can a judge and one witness combine their testimony so that the case can move forward? IF there are three judges, can the third judge ratify the testimony of the other two judges if they affirm that they recognize a witness' signature?
We explore the history of notarizing documents and notaries as well as the attitude to women’s testimony in Jewish law (By Ilan Fuchs).