A brief overview of the mitzvos in this week's parsha

At what ages are fines for assault issued? • At what ages may a father legally indenture his daughter? • When are confessions admissible? • Vigilante justice

The power of one witness • The power of casual talk • The Levites were fined by Ezra for not ascending to Israel • The marital status of a woman redeemed or ransomed

Witnesses may not alter their testimony once they have spoken • Can signatories authenticating a document ever undermine the validation of the document through subsequent testimony? • Must one be willing to give up his life rather than sign a false document which could then be used to rob another of his assets?

Tactics to combat oppression of women • Judean trickery • The priestly courts' alterations of kesubos • Do we believe the woman's claim to the detriment of her husband? • Do we believe the woman's claim of paternity? • In monetary matters, do we give greater credence to a claim of certitude or possession?

Various midrashic interpretations of "the small city"

When should marriages take place? • When are various seemingly mundane discussions permitted on Shabbos? • Why doesn't the Rambam codify directly the obligation to teach one's son how to earn a livelihood? • The great debate about Psik Raisha between the Aruch and the Ri: must the concurrent consequence be beneficial to be prohibited?

Welcome to the bizarre world that we all experience • Wisdom can prevail against all odds • Succumbing to the evil inclination will never bring peace

When a man and one of his wives travels abroad and dies, what is the widow to do? • Evaluating unknowns: When are we concerned about new developments that would alter the status quo? • When are we concerned for the minority? • Are we ever concerned about spiteful testimony?

Knowledge is power • The ability to do something can be seductive • Orienting oneself towards righteousness is critical to avoid stumbling