EXOD754 The Torah warns a judge that he shall not listen to the claims of a litigant unless the other litigant is there to hear. The reason is that when a litigant is alone with the judge, he is likely to lie when he states his claims. In order that such lies never enter the ears of our judges, the Torah forbids any judge to hear either litigant’s claims unless both litigants are present. Other prohibitions are included in this verse. The Torah warns a litigant that he may not state his claims to a judge if the other litigant is not there, even if the judge wants to hear them. The verse also prohibits us from relating or believing lashon hara [a negative, derogatory report about a fellow Jew]. Finally, the verse forbids witnesses from giving false testimony in court. Nothing is more disgusting than lies and deceit. Someone who enjoys lies is accursed, for Hashem is the God of Truth. Only truth abides by Him. Blessing accrues only to those who are truthful in word and deed, as is Hashem Himself, and who shows mercy and kindness as He does. On the other hand, when someone is attached to lies and deceit, and his words and actions are the very opposite of those of Hashem, blessing cannot rest on him. He will not merit happiness, peace or true enjoyment. The exact opposite will be his lot: He will be accursed, plagued by worries, disputes and much suffering. For this reason, the Torah commands us to distance ourselves from lies and deceit. The Torah tells us, “Distance yourself from any false matter.” Only regarding this prohibition does the Torah use the wording “distance yourself.” due to the repulsiveness of lies and deceit. The Torah wants us to stay very far away from any hint of falsehood, to avoid inclining our ear to anything that seems untrue, even if it is not clear to us that it is false.