What is the definition of "Evyon"?
Rashi: "Evyon" refers to a person who is destitute 1 - he desires everything, because he has nothing.
Mechilta: "Evyon" refers, (not to a poor man, but) to a Rasha, who is poor in Mitzvos
As opposed to "Ani", which means 'a poor man'.
What are the ramifications of this prohibition?
Seforno: It is a prohibition against a. speaking softly to the wealthy litigant and harshly to the poor one, when they present their cases, and b. inviting the former to sit down, but not the latter.
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It is a prohibition against perverting the judgment of a poor litigant.
See Torah Temimah, note 44.
Oznayim la'Torah (citing the Rambam in Hilchos Sanhedrin, 21:5): 'A Dayan may contend, neither with the past of the litigants (one is a Tzadik, the other, a Rasha), nor with their current situation (one is poor, the other, rich), nor with their roots (one is a Ger, the other, a native):
What are the implications of the word "Lo Sateh ... be'Rivo"?
Yerushalmi Pe'ah, 4:5: It implies that although one may not twist the Din in the poor man's favor in his disputes, one may twist it in his favor regarding Leket, Shikchah and Pe'ah - If there is a Safek Leket, Shikchah or Pe'ah, give the poor man the benefit of the doubt. 1
Overriding the principle 'ha'Motzi me'Chavero, comes ha'Re'ayah.
