We often say, “Two heads are better than one.” But is that always true? Sometimes, two people working together can actually create more problems—especially when they don’t share the same values or perspective. So when are “two” truly better than one?
In this week’s Parsha, Shoftim, the Torah tells us that to convict someone you need two (or three) witnesses. The Torah uses the word שנים (shenayim)—two. Later in the Parsha, when discussing witnesses for a monetary case, it instead uses שני (shnei)—also meaning two. Why the change?
Rabbi Aaron Lopianski explains, based on the Midrash, that shenayim refers to two that are the same, while shnei refers to two that are different. In capital cases, the witnesses must be completely aligned—seeing the same event, at the same time, from the same vantage point. In monetary cases, however, they can be separate—witnessing from different places or even different times.
This distinction sheds light on a famous verse in Koheles (Ecclesiastes): Tovim hashnayim min ha’echad—“Two are better than one.” Rashi explains this is why we are taught in Pirkei Avos that one should acquire a friend, and why one should find a spouse. Notice that Shlomo HaMelech uses the word shnayim—two that are alike.
The message is clear: Two are only better than one when they are truly shnayim—when they share common values, common goals, and a unified vision. That’s when a partnership uplifts, strengthens, and makes each person greater. That’s when you can achieve together what neither could accomplish alone.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Shaps and the JET Team
