What is the legal distinction between "Eidim" and "Beis Din"? They are two distinct legal categories. I have said many times that Halacha sees Eidim as being more than just "witnesses". Eidim are in a way "Officers of the Court", acting together as "Notaries Public" who validate proceedings with their testimony. The Torah uses the expression "Two or three eidim", so there is such a thing as a triad of eidim.
But a Beis-Din, the Court itself, has a power above and beyond that of the Legal Force of the Eidim. What is the nature of this difference?
Why is a statement made in front of people acting as witnesses more impeachable than a statement made in front of a Beis Din.
Why does the number three mean so much more than the number two? To strengthen the point, I will point out that the Gemara itself presents a view that a Beis Din of two has standing according to Shmuel. Yet there is seemingly still an advantage in a Beis Din of two members (Beis Din Chatzuf) over an eidim team of three! Why?
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