Komentarz do Szewuot 7:3

הרי זה נשבע ונוטל – and specifically when the wound is in a place where it is possible that he wounded himself, and because of this, it requires an oath. But if it is in a place where he cannot wound himself, and it is recognized that others did it to him, as for example, when a bite occurred to him on his back, and there is no one else there, for he is able to say, perhaps another [person] did it, he takes [his compensation] without an oath [being administered].

Introduction This mishnah discusses the oath taken by one who has been wounded. Through this oath he can collect money from the one who wounded him.

“He who has been wounded,” How so? If they testified about a person that another went onto his property whole, and came out wounded, and he said to him, “You have wounded me,” and the other said, “I have not wounded you,” he takes an oath, and receives [damages]. R. Judah says: “[There is no oath] unless there is partial admission: How so? He said to him, you have inflicted on me two wounds,” and the other said, “I inflicted on you only one wound.” This mishnah discusses the third example of one who swears and thereby collects: a person who has been wounded. In this scenario witnesses testify that Shimon entered Reuven’s property without having been previously injured and that he came out wounded. Shimon claims that Reuven injured him and Reuven denies having done so. Since it is highly likely that Shimon is telling the truth and that Reuven did indeed injure Shimon, Shimon may take an oath and collect damages. Rabbi Judah states that Shimon may collect only if Reuven admits to part of the claim. For instance if Shimon claims that Reuven injured him twice and Reuven admits to having done so only once, then Shimon may swear and collect. This opinion of Rabbi Judah is consistent with his opinion in the two previous mishnayoth.

Questions for Further Thought:
• What would be the law if there were no witnesses who testified that Shimon went onto Reuven’s property? Would Shimon still be able to collect?