Sanhedrin 41: The Women Who Knew Halakhah

Talking Talmud

To be held accountable - and punished - the person doing wrong must receive official warning that the action is wrong, and carries this punishment. An example of adultery -- for a betrothed woman -- is brought, with witnesses who were found to be conspiring witnesses. But they aren't put to death, though she would have been, because they can claim that they were just trying for her to be off-limits for her husband, not that she should be executed. Which raises the question of that warning -- wouldn't a warning reveal their intent? But a "learned woman" wouldn't need that warning, due to her literacy. But how can she be held to capital punishment without the required warning!? Also, comparing the testimony of witnesses -- and when do discrepancies in their respective accounts invalidate the testimony, and when are they considered insignificant?