Bava Batra 161 - Preventing Forgery in a "Bound" Document
In a regular document the witnesses sign immediately at the end of the document's text, thus precluding the possibility of tampering with it.
In contrast, a "bound" document requires that the witnesses sign between each fold. However, this opens a possibility of forgery.
Should we be concerned that, having the witnesses already signed above, he will write an additional clause at the end of the document, beneficial to him? - No, because words "firm and established" are written at the end of a bound document.
What if he erases the words "firm and established," adds to the document, then writes the words "firm and established" again? - Additions do not invalidate the document, but erasures, even certified with "firm and established", do invalidate it.
Art: John Turing - Still Life with Documents
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