(Mishnah): Witnesses can testify only about (i.e. if they saw) the face, including the nose, even if there are Simanim on his body and clothing.

They can testify only after three days;

Even if they saw him cut up, hanging on a crucifix, and a wild animal was eating him, they can testify only after he died.

R. Yehudah ben Bava says, it depends on the deceased, the place and the time.

(Gemara - Rav Yehudah): [They must see] the nose with the jaws.

[Our Mishnah] is like R. Yirmeyah said in the name of Rav, "Hakaras Peneihem Onsah Bam" - this is the nose.

(R. Chiya bar Ba): One who wants that people not recognize him, he should put bandages on his nostrils, and he will not be recognized.

This is like in the days of King Arsakinas, people of Tzipori were summonsed [to the king]. They put bandages on their nostrils, and they were not recognized.

In the end, people informed on them (that they did so), and all of them were caught.

"Va'Yaku Bahem Aviyah v'Amo Makah Gedolah Me'od" - R. Aba bar Kahana said, [Aviyah] removed from them Hakaras Peneihem of Yisrael (so the bodies would not be recognized, and their widows could not remarry). This is the nose.

Support (Mishnah): Witnesses can testify only about the face, including the nose.

(R. Ami): [He did not cut their noses. Rather, to prevent the widows from remarrying,] he guarded [the bodies and did not allow others to see them] for three days, until the form decayed;

Source: "Atzmu Li Almenosayich me'Chol Yamim" (they were hidden many days).

(R. Shmuel): "V'Lo Atzar Ko'ach Yarav'am Od bi'Ymei Aviyah va'Yigfehu Hash-m va'Yamos" - you think that Yarav'am [was stricken], but really, it is Aviyah.

Question: Why was he stricken?

Answer #1 (R. Yochanan): It is because he disgraced Yarav'am in public - "v'Atem Hamon Rav v'Imachem Eglei ha'Zahav Asher Asah Lachem Yarav'am lei'Lohim." (Even though he was a Rasha, one must show honor to a king.)

Answer #2 (Reish Lakish): It is because he disgraced Achiyah ha'Shiloni;

Source: "Va'Yikbetzu Elav Anashim Bnei Veliya'al" - he screamed at Achiyah ha'Shiloni (improperly, for Hash-m commanded Achiyah to appoint Yarav'am to be king over the 10 tribes).

Answer #3 (Rabanan): It is because idolatry came to his hand, and he did not eradicate it;

Source: It says "va'Yirdof Aviyah Acharei Yarav'am va'Yilkad Mimenu Arim Es Beis Kel v'Es Benoseha", and (he did not destroy the golden calf there, for) it says "va'Yasem Es ha'Echad b'Veis Kel v'Es ha'Echad Nasan b'Dan."

(Mishnah): Even if there are Simanim on his body and clothing.

Question: Was it not taught, what is the source that if your colleague's ox strayed, you return it through Simanim, whether on its body or its Kelim? It says "Ad Drosh Achicha Oso" (this shows that mid'Oraisa, we rely on Simanim)!

Answer: Here is different, for Simanim are prone to change. (It is an enactment mid'Rabanan to return based on Simanim. They enacted for money, but not to permit an Eshes Ish - SHIREI KORBAN.)

Our Mishnah should say "they can testify only until three days [from death]."

(R. Aba brei d'R. Papi and R. Yehoshua of Sichnin citing R. Levi): All three days [after death], the Nefesh hovers over the body. It thinks that it will return to it;

Once it sees that the appearance of his face changed, it abandons it and goes away.

From three days and onwards, the stomach splits towards his face, and tells it 'take what you stole and [what you] forcibly took [and paid for].'

(R. Chagai citing R. Yoshiyah): We learn from "v'Zarisi Peresh Al Peneichem [Peresh Chageichem." Peresh is repeated, to teach that even] excrement of [what you consumed on] your festivals (which were not the way Hash-m commanded, will return to his face).

At that time, "Ach Besaro Alav Yich'av v'Nafsho Alav Te'eval."