More Discussions for this daf
1. Good eyesight and saving the witnesses 2. Ein Onshin Min ha'Din 3. R. Yehuda Ben Tabbai and R. Shimon Ben Shetach
4. Witnesses Plotting 5. v'Hitzilu ha'Eidah 6. Miracles and Halachah
7. Punishing Edim Zomemim 8. The Gemara answers by saying it's a good question 9. Edim Zomemim dividing their punishment
10. Edim Zomemim 11. Rashi and Tosfos 12. Judges
DAF DISCUSSIONS - MAKOS 5

Chaim S. asks:

How can Rebbi Yehudah be so sure that it was a plot? (They could say something like we saw yu at the Yankees game!)

Chaim S., New York

The Kollel replies:

Rebbi Yehudah is simply saying that since the possibility exists that there is a conspiracy here, we should not kill more than one pair of witnesses who become Eidim Zomimim in any single case. Otherwise, one can have the possibility of people being Mazim anyone who is Mazim their friend, and the killing will continue. Rebbi Yehudah would rather err on the side of caution and not keep killing people due to this possibility. (This is a simplification, but should be enough to answer your question. For more in depth discussion of this matter, see the Tosfos Yom Tov on the Mishnah.)

All the best,

Yaakov Montrose