Search

Ketubot 36

Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:

English
עברית
podcast placeholder
0:00
0:00



podcast placeholder
0:00
0:00



Summary

This month’s learning is sponsored by the Kessler, Wolkenfeld and Grossman families in loving memory of Mia Rose bat Matan Yehoshua v’ Elana Malka. “ה נתן וה לקח. יהי שם ה מבורך”

Today’s daf is sponsored by the Maybaum, Raye and Cohen families in loving memory of Miriam (Mim) Cohen, מרים בת מיכאל, on her shloshim. “Our kind-hearted, fun-loving and totally unique big sister. Devoted wife and mother, ardent Zionist and proud Jew. We miss you.”

Ketubot 36

עֲרָיוֹת מַמָּשׁ, ״שְׁנִיּוֹת״ — מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים, כֵּיוָן דְּמִדְּאוֹרָיְיתָא חַזְיָא לֵיהּ, אַמַּאי אֵין לָהֶן קְנָס? אֶלָּא: ״עֲרָיוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי מִיתוֹת בֵּית דִּין, ״שְׁנִיּוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי כָרֵיתוֹת. אֲבָל חַיָּיבֵי לָאוִין יֵשׁ לָהֶן קְנָס, וּמַנִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הַתִּימְנִי הִיא.

actual forbidden relatives prohibited by Torah law, and secondary relatives means, as it does in most cases, relatives prohibited by rabbinic law, that cannot be, for since those secondary relatives are suitable for him to marry and are not prohibited by Torah law, why do they not receive a fine if they are raped or seduced? Rather, the meaning of these terms in this context is different: Forbidden relatives are those for which one is liable to receive a court-imposed death penalty; secondary relatives are those for which one is liable to receive karet, which are relatively less severe than those for which one is executed. However, those liable for violating regular prohibitions receive payment of a fine if they are raped or seduced. And according to whose opinion is the baraita taught? It is the opinion of Shimon HaTimni, who exempts from paying a fine only one who rapes a woman with whom betrothal is ineffective.

אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי ״עֲרָיוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי מִיתוֹת בֵּית דִּין וְחַיָּיבֵי כָרֵיתוֹת, ״שְׁנִיּוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי לָאוִין. מַנִּי — רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא הִיא.

Some say that we can explain that forbidden relatives refers to all relatives with whom relations are forbidden by severe prohibitions, both those for which one is liable to death by the court and those for which he is liable to karet, and secondary relatives refers to those relatives with whom one who engages in relations is liable for violating regular prohibitions. According to this approach, whose opinion does this follow? It is that of Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya, who maintains that even a woman raped by a man forbidden to her by a regular prohibition is not entitled to the fine, despite the fact that betrothal is effective in that case.

הַמְמָאֶנֶת אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. הָא קְטַנָּה בְּעָלְמָא — אִית לַהּ. מַנִּי — רַבָּנַן הִיא דְּאָמְרִי: קְטַנָּה יֵשׁ לָהּ קְנָס, אֵימָא סֵיפָא: אַיְילוֹנִית אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. אֲתָאן לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר, דְּאָמַר: קְטַנָּה אֵין לָהּ קְנָס, וְהָא מִקַּטְנוּתָהּ יָצְתָה לְבֶגֶר. רֵישָׁא רַבָּנַן וְסֵיפָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר!

§ The baraita stated: A girl who refuses to remain married to her husband receives neither payment of a fine for rape nor payment of a fine for seduction, because she was married and therefore lost her presumptive status as a virgin. The Gemara infers: But an ordinary minor girl has a fine for rape. If so, in accordance with whose opinion is the baraita taught? It is the opinion of the Rabbis, who say: A minor girl has a fine for rape. The Gemara asks: Say the latter clause of the baraita: A sexually underdeveloped woman [ailonit] has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction, as she will not develop the signs of puberty and her legal status is that of a minor until she is twenty, at which point she assumes the status of a grown woman. In that halakha, the baraita comes to the opinion of Rabbi Meir, who said: A minor girl does not have a fine for rape, and the same is true for this ailonit, who emerged from her status as a minor at the age of twenty to the status of a grown woman, skipping the stage of a young woman. The first clause of the baraita is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and the latter clause is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir.

וְכִי תֵּימָא: כּוּלַּהּ רַבִּי מֵאִיר הִיא, וּבִמְמָאֶנֶת סָבַר לַהּ כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה. וּמִי סָבַר לַהּ? וְהָתַנְיָא: עַד מָתַי הַבַּת מְמָאֶנֶת — עַד שֶׁתָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: עַד שֶׁיִּרְבֶּה שָׁחוֹר עַל הַלָּבָן.

And if you say that the entire baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, and with regard to a girl who refuses to remain married Rabbi Meir holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, that not only a minor girl but a young woman may also end her marriage through refusal, and the baraita is referring to a young woman and not to a minor; but does he maintain that opinion? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that he disagrees with Rabbi Yehuda in this matter? It was taught: Until when can a girl refuse to remain married? Until she develops two pubic hairs, signs of puberty rendering her a young woman; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: She can refuse until the area covered by the black pubic hairs is greater than the white skin of the genital area. That occurs approximately six months later, at which point she becomes a grown woman.

אֶלָּא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, וּבִקְטַנָּה סָבַר לַהּ כְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר. וּמִי סָבַר לַהּ? וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: זוֹ דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וְאִם אִיתָא, ״זוֹ דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! הַאי תַּנָּא סָבַר לַהּ כְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר בַּחֲדָא, וּפְלִיג עֲלֵיהּ בַּחֲדָא.

Rather, the Gemara suggests: The baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and with regard to a minor girl, he holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, who says that a minor girl does not receive payment of a fine for rape, and therefore, an ailonit is not entitled to payment. The Gemara asks: But does he maintain that opinion? But didn’t Rav Yehuda say that Rav said with regard to the mishna below (40b), which states: Any case where there is the right of a father to effect the sale of his daughter as a Hebrew maidservant, i.e., when she is a minor, there is no fine if she is raped, this is the statement of Rabbi Meir? And if it is so that Rabbi Yehuda maintains that opinion, Rav should have said: This is the statement of Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda. Rather, this tanna of the baraita holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir with regard to one halakha, that there is no fine for the rape of a minor, and disagrees with him with regard to one halakha, that a young woman may conclude her marriage through refusal.

רַפְרָם אָמַר: מַאי ״מְמָאֶנֶת״ — הָרְאוּיָה לְמָאֵן. וְלִיתְנֵי קְטַנָּה! קַשְׁיָא.

Rafram said: This entire baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, and what is the meaning of the statement: With regard to a girl who refuses, there is neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction? It is referring to one who is fit to refuse, i.e., as long as she is a minor she is not entitled to the fine. The Gemara asks: And if that is the case, let the tanna simply teach the halakha with regard to a minor. Why teach a simple halakha in so convoluted a manner? The Gemara concludes: Indeed, this is difficult.

אַיְילוֹנִית אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. וּרְמִינְהִי: הַחֵרֶשֶׁת וְהַשּׁוֹטָה וְהָאַיְילוֹנִית — יֵשׁ לָהֶן קְנָס, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶן טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. וְהָא, מַאי רוּמְיָא? הָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר, הָא רַבָּנַן! וּדְקָאָרֵי לַהּ, מַאי קָאָרֵי לַהּ!

§ The baraita stated: An ailonit has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction. And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a baraita: A deaf-mute, an imbecile, and an ailonit have a fine for rape and they have a claim concerning virginity. If one of these women married with the presumptive status of a virgin and received a corresponding marriage contract, her husband can cause her to lose her marriage contract by claiming that she was not a virgin. The Gemara rejects this argument: And what is the contradiction in this? It can be explained simply: This baraita, in which it was taught that the ailonit receives no fine, is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir; that baraita, in which it was taught that the ailonit receives a fine, is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis. The Gemara is puzzled: And as the resolution is so obvious, he who raised the contradiction, why did he raise it? The dispute between Rabbi Meir and the Rabbis in this matter is known.

מִשּׁוּם דְּאִית לֵיהּ לְמִירְמֵא אַחֲרִיתִי עִילָּוֵיהּ: הַחֵרֶשֶׁת וְהַשּׁוֹטָה וְהַבּוֹגֶרֶת ומוּכַּת עֵץ — אֵין לָהֶן טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. הַסּוֹמָא וְאַיְילוֹנִית — יֵשׁ לָהֶן טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. סוֹמְכוֹס אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: סוֹמָא אֵין לָהּ טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים.

The Gemara answers: He cited this baraita due to the fact that he has another baraita from which to raise as a contradiction to it: A deaf-mute, and an imbecile, and a grown woman, and a woman whose hymen was torn not in the course of sexual relations, do not have a claim concerning virginity, as they do not have the presumptive status of a virgin. However, a blind woman and an ailonit have a claim concerning virginity. Sumakhos says in the name of Rabbi Meir: A blind woman does not have a claim concerning virginity. The baraitot contradict each other with regard to the claim concerning virginity of a deaf-mute and an imbecile.

אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת, לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, וְהָא רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. אֵימַר דְּשָׁמְעַתְּ לֵיהּ לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הֵיכָא דְּקָא טָעֲנָה אִיהִי, הֵיכָא דְּלָא קָא טָעֲנָה אִיהִי, מִי שָׁמְעַתְּ לֵיהּ? אִין, כֵּיוָן דְּאָמַר רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל מְהֵימְנָא, כְּגוֹן זוֹ ״פְּתַח פִּיךָ לְאִלֵּם״ הוּא.

Rav Sheshet said: This is not difficult, as this baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabban Gamliel, who holds that a woman who, in response to a claim concerning her virginity, is believed if she says that she was raped after her betrothal and therefore does not lose her marriage contract. And that baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua, who says that a woman is not believed if she makes that claim, and therefore she loses her marriage contract. The Gemara asks: Say that you heard that Rabban Gamliel accepts her contention in a case where she claims that she was raped after the betrothal; however, in a case where she did not claim that that was the case, did you hear that he accepts her contention? The Gemara answers: Yes, since Rabban Gamliel said she is believed when she states that she was raped after betrothal, the deaf-mute and the imbecile are also believed even though they are unable to make the claim, as in a cases like that, it is a case of: “Open your mouth for the mute” (Proverbs 31:8). When a person lacks the capacity to proffer the claim on his own, the court makes the claim on her behalf.

וְהַבּוֹגֶרֶת אֵין לָהּ טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. וְהָאָמַר רַב: בּוֹגֶרֶת, נוֹתְנִין לָהּ לַיְלָה הָרִאשׁוֹן!

§ The baraita stated: A grown woman does not have a claim concerning virginity because of changes as her body matures, her hymen is no longer completely intact. The Gemara asks: But didn’t Rav say: The Sages give a grown woman who had relations on her wedding night, the entire first night, during which she may have relations with her husband several times? Any blood seen during that night is attributed to the blood of her hymen, which is ritually pure, and not menstrual blood. Apparently, even a grown woman has her hymen intact.

אִי דְּקָא טָעֵין טַעֲנַת דָּמִים — הָכִי נָמֵי. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן — דְּקָטָעֵין טַעֲנַת פֶּתַח פָּתוּחַ.

The Gemara answers: If he proffers a claim that there was no blood after consummating the marriage, indeed he can cause her to lose her marriage contract with that claim. However, with what are we dealing here in the baraita? We are dealing with one who proffers a claim that he encountered an open entrance, i.e., there was no hymen. As the hymen of an adult woman is no longer completely intact, the claim is of no consequence.

סוֹמְכוֹס אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: סוֹמָא אֵין לָהּ טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. מַאי טַעְמָא דְּסוֹמְכוֹס? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנֶּחְבֶּטֶת עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע. כּוּלְּהוּ נָמֵי חַבּוֹטֵי מִיחַבְּטִי? כּוּלְּהוּ, רוֹאוֹת וּמַרְאוֹת לְאִמָּן. זוֹ, אֵינָהּ רוֹאָה וְאֵינָהּ מַרְאָה לְאִמָּהּ.

The baraita continues: Sumakhos says in the name of Rabbi Meir: A blind woman does not have a claim concerning virginity. The Gemara asks: What is the rationale for the statement of Sumakhos? Rabbi Zeira said: Due to the fact that a blind woman is struck by falling onto the ground, causing her hymen to break. The Gemara asks: All girls tend to be struck by falling onto the ground as well; what is unique about blind girls? The Gemara answers: When all of the other girls fall, they see the blood flow and show it to their mother. The mother would then examine them and discover that her hymen was broken. This blind girl does not see the flow of blood and therefore does not show it too her mother. Due to that possibility, the man who married the blind woman must have considered the likelihood that her hymen is not intact, and therefore he cannot make a claim concerning virginity.

וְהַיּוֹצֵאת מִשּׁוּם שֵׁם רָע אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. הַיּוֹצֵאת מִשּׁוּם שֵׁם רָע — בַּת סְקִילָה הִיא! אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: הָכִי קָאָמַר: מִי שֶׁיָּצָא עָלֶיהָ שֵׁם רַע בְּיַלְדוּתָהּ — אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי.

§ The previous baraita concluded: And one who leaves her husband due to a bad reputation has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction. The initial understanding is that the baraita is referring to a young betrothed woman who leaves her husband because she committed adultery. The Gemara asks: One who leaves her husband due to a bad reputation is subject to stoning as an adulteress; clearly she is not entitled to the fine. Rav Sheshet said: This is what the baraita is saying: One about whom a bad reputation emerged in her youth that she engaged in sexual relations has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction, as the assumption is that she is no longer a virgin.

אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: הַאי שְׁטָרָא רִיעָא לָא מַגְבֵּינַן בֵּיהּ. הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִילֵּימָא דִּנְפַק קָלָא עֲלֵיהּ דִּשְׁטָרָא (דְּ)זַיְיפָא הוּא, דִּכְווֹתַהּ הָכָא, דִּנְפַק עֲלַהּ קָלָא דְּזַנַּאי, וְהָא אָמַר רָבָא: יָצָא לָהּ שֵׁם מְזַנָּה בָּעִיר — אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לָהּ.

Rav Pappa said: Conclude from it with regard to this tainted document whose authenticity was compromised that we do not collect a debt with it. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances? If you say that a rumor emerged about it that it is a forged document, and in the corresponding case here, the case of a bad reputation, that a rumor emerged about her that she engaged in promiscuous sexual relations; but didn’t Rava say: If a rumor emerged about a woman in a town as one who engaged in promiscuous sexual relations, one need not be concerned about it? The assumption is that it is insubstantial, as a reputation based on rumor is disregarded.

אֶלָּא דַּאֲתוֹ בֵּי תְרֵי וְאָמְרִי: לְדִידְהוּ תְּבַעְתַּנְהִי בְּאִיסּוּרָא. דִּכְווֹתַהּ הָכָא: דַּאֲתוֹ בֵּי תְרֵי וְאָמְרִי: לְדִידְהוּ אֲמַר לְהוּ: ״זַיִּיפוּ לִי״. בִּשְׁלָמָא הָתָם — שְׁכִיחִי פְּרוּצִין. אֶלָּא הָכָא, אִם הוּא הוּחְזַק, כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִי הוּחְזְקוּ? הָכָא נָמֵי: כֵּיוָן דְּקָא מְהַדַּר אַזִּיּוּפָא, אֵימַר, זַיּוֹפֵי זַיֵּיף וּכְתַב.

Rather, it is that two witnesses came and said: She propositioned us to engage in forbidden relations, and in the corresponding case here with regard to a document, it is a case where two people came and said that he said to us: Forge a document for me. The Gemara asks: Granted, there, in the case of the rumor of promiscuity, immoral men are common, and even if they refused her, presumably she found someone willing to engage in relations with her. However, here, with regard to forgery, even if he assumed presumptive status as one seeking a forgery, do all the Jewish people assume presumptive status as forgers? Why is the assumption that the document was forged? The Gemara answers: Here too, since he is actively seeking a forgery, say that he forged the document and wrote it. Even if others are not suspected of cooperating with him, there is suspicion with regard to the document. Therefore, the case of the tainted document and the woman with a bad reputation are comparable.

מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין לָהֶן קְנָס: הַבָּא עַל הַגִּיּוֹרֶת וְעַל הַשְּׁבוּיָה וְעַל הַשִּׁפְחָה שֶׁנִּפְדּוּ וְשֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּירוּ וְשֶׁנִּשְׁתַּחְרְרוּ, יְתֵירוֹת עַל בְּנוֹת שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: שְׁבוּיָה שֶׁנִּפְדֵּית — הֲרֵי הִיא בִּקְדוּשָּׁתָהּ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגְּדוֹלָה.

MISHNA: And these are the cases of young women who do not have a fine paid to their fathers when they are raped or seduced: One who has intercourse with a convert or with a captive woman or with a gentile maidservant, who were redeemed, converted, or emancipated when they were more than three years and one day old, as presumably they are no longer virgins. Rabbi Yehuda says: A captive woman who was redeemed remains in her state of sanctity even though she is an adult, as it cannot be stated that she certainly engaged in intercourse.

הַבָּא עַל בִּתּוֹ, עַל בַּת בִּתּוֹ, עַל בַּת בְּנוֹ, עַל בַּת אִשְׁתּוֹ, עַל בַּת בְּנָהּ, עַל בַּת בִּתָּהּ — אֵין לָהֶן קְנָס, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּתְחַיֵּיב בְּנַפְשׁוֹ, שֶׁמִּיתָתָן בִּידֵי בֵּית דִּין. וְכׇל הַמִּתְחַיֵּיב בְּנַפְשׁוֹ אֵין מְשַׁלֵּם מָמוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאִם לֹא יִהְיֶה אָסוֹן עָנוֹשׁ יֵעָנֵשׁ״.

The mishna resumes its list of the cases of young women who are not entitled to a fine when raped or seduced by the following men: In the case of one who engages in intercourse with his daughter, with his daughter’s daughter, with his son’s daughter, with his wife’s daughter, with her son’s daughter, or with her daughter’s daughter; they do not receive payment of a fine. That is due to the fact that he is liable to receive the death penalty, and that their death penalty is administered by the court, and anyone who is liable to receive the death penalty does not pay money, as it is stated: “And yet no harm follow, he shall be punished” (Exodus 21:22). This verse indicates that if a woman dies and the one who struck her is liable to receive the death penalty, he is exempt from payment.

גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי דּוֹסָא אָמְרוּ דָּבָר אֶחָד. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה — הָא דַּאֲמַרַן. רַבִּי דּוֹסָא, דְּתַנְיָא: שְׁבוּיָה — אוֹכֶלֶת בִּתְרוּמָה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי דּוֹסָא. אָמַר רַבִּי דּוֹסָא: וְכִי מָה עָשָׂה לָהּ עַרְבִי הַלָּז? וְכִי מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּיעֵךְ לָהּ בֵּין דַּדֶּיהָ, פְּסָלָהּ מִן הַכְּהוּנָּה?

GEMARA: Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Dosa said one and the same thing with regard to a captive woman. The statement of Rabbi Yehuda is that which we said in the mishna. The statement of Rabbi Dosa is as it is taught in a baraita: A captive daughter or wife of a priest, who was redeemed, partakes of teruma; this is the statement of Rabbi Dosa. In explanation, Rabbi Dosa said: And what did this Arab who took her captive do to her? And due to the fact that he lasciviously squeezed between her breasts, did he render her unfit to marry into the priesthood? Although he may have taken liberties with her, there is no concern that he had relations with her.

אָמַר רַבָּה: דִּלְמָא לָא הִיא, עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָכָא, אֶלָּא שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר? אֲבָל הָתָם — כְּרַבָּנַן סְבִירָא לֵיהּ. אִי נָמֵי: עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי דּוֹסָא הָתָם, אֶלָּא בִּתְרוּמָה דְּרַבָּנַן. אֲבָל קְנָס דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא — כְּרַבָּנַן סְבִירָא לֵיהּ.

Rabba said: Perhaps that is not so, and their opinions differ. Perhaps Rabbi Yehuda states his opinion only here with regard to payment of a fine, so that the sinner will not profit through exemption from the fine because this girl was taken captive in her youth. However, there, with regard to teruma, he holds in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and she is unfit to marry a priest. Alternatively, there is another distinction between their opinions. Perhaps Rabbi Dosa stated his opinion only there, with regard to teruma whose legal status today is by rabbinic law, and therefore he rules leniently. However, with regard to payment of a fine, which is mandated by Torah law, he holds in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and the rapist is exempt from payment based on the principle: The burden of proof is incumbent upon the claimant, and she cannot prove that her captors did not engage in intercourse with her and that she is a virgin.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: וְטַעְמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָכָא, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר הוּא? וְהָא תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: שְׁבוּיָה שֶׁנִּשְׁבֵּית — הֲרֵי הִיא בִּקְדוּשָּׁתָהּ, אֲפִילּוּ בַּת עֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים — כְּתוּבָּתָהּ מָאתַיִם. וְהָתָם מַאי ״שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר״ אִיכָּא? הָתָם נָמֵי, דִּלְמָא מִימַּנְעִי וְלָא נָסְבִי לַהּ.

Abaye said to Rabba: And is the rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda here, in the case of a fine, to ensure that the sinner will not profit? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: A captive woman who was taken captive remains in her state of sanctity with the presumptive status of a virgin? Even if she was in captivity when she was ten years old, her marriage contract is two hundred dinars. And there, in that case, what relevance is there for the rationale: To ensure that the sinner will not profit? That baraita refers to a marriage contract and no transgression is involved. The Gemara answers: There too, Rabbi Yehuda issues the same ruling for a different reason. She receives the marriage contract of a virgin because if she didn’t, perhaps men would refrain and not marry her, due to their suspicion that her captors violated her.

וְסָבַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בִּקְדוּשְׁתַּהּ קָיְימָה? וְהָתַנְיָא: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה — יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. מֵעִיד בָּהּ — לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה! הָא גּוּפַהּ קַשְׁיָא, אָמְרַתְּ: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה — יִשָּׂאֶנָּה, וַהֲדַר תְּנָא: מֵעִיד בָּהּ — לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. מִשּׁוּם דְּמֵעִיד בָּהּ לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה?!

The Gemara asks: And does Rabbi Yehuda maintain that a captive woman remains in her state of sanctity? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: One who redeems a captive may marry her, even if he is a priest, but if he testifies that she did not engage in sexual relations while in captivity, he may not marry her? Rabbi Yehuda says: Both in this case, where he redeemed her, and in that case, where he testified, he may not marry her, lest she was violated and rendered unfit to marry a priest. The Gemara comments: This baraita itself is difficult. On the one hand you said: One who redeems a captive may marry her, and then it was taught: If he testifies that she did not engage in sexual relations while in captivity, he may not marry her. Is that to say that due to the fact that he also testifies that she was not violated he may not marry her?

הָא לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה וּמֵעִיד בָּהּ — יִשָּׂאֶנָּה, מֵעִיד בָּהּ כְּדִי — לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה.

The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as this is what the baraita is saying: One who redeems a captive woman and testifies that she was not violated may marry her. However, if he only testifies that she was not violated he may not marry her.

מִכׇּל מָקוֹם קַשְׁיָא לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה! אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, אֵימָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם כִּדְקָתָנֵי, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה לְדִבְרֵיהֶם דְּרַבָּנַן קָאָמַר לְהוּ: לְדִידִי — בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ יִשָּׂאֶנָּה, אֶלָּא לְדִידְכוּ — בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה מִבְּעֵי לֵיהּ!

With regard to the apparent contradiction between the two statements of Rabbi Yehuda, the Gemara says: In any case, this baraita is difficult according to Rabbi Yehuda, as contrary to his earlier statement, he states that a captive woman does not retain the presumptive status of a virgin. Rav Pappa said: Emend the text and say that Rabbi Yehuda says: Both in this case and in that case he may marry her. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, says: Actually, do not emend the baraita and learn it as it was taught. In the baraita, Rabbi Yehuda spoke to them according to the statement of the Rabbis. According to my opinion, that the presumptive status of a redeemed captive woman is that of a virgin, both in this case and in that case he may marry her. However, according to your opinion that there is concern lest she was violated, the halakha should be that both in this case and in that case he may not marry her.

וְרַבָּנַן: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה וּמֵעִיד בָּהּ יִשָּׂאֶנָּה — לָא שָׁדֵי אִינִישׁ זוּזֵי בִּכְדִי. מֵעִיד בָּהּ כְּדִי לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה — שֶׁמָּא עֵינָיו נָתַן בָּהּ.

The Gemara asks: And how do the Rabbis explain their ruling? They explain: One who redeems a captive woman and testifies that she was not violated may marry her, as a person does not throw away money for nothing. If he paid the ransom to redeem her, he must be certain that she is a virgin. One who only testifies that she was not violated may not marry her, lest he had his eye on her to marry her and is prepared to lie to facilitate that marriage.

רָמֵי לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא בַּר שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב יוֹסֵף:

Rav Pappa bar Shmuel raised a contradiction before Rav Yosef:

Delve Deeper

Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.

For the Beyond the Daf shiurim offered in Hebrew, see here.

New to Talmud?

Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you. 

The Hadran Women’s Tapestry

Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

I started learning when my brother sent me the news clip of the celebration of the last Daf Yomi cycle. I was so floored to see so many women celebrating that I wanted to be a part of it. It has been an enriching experience studying a text in a language I don’t speak, using background knowledge that I don’t have. It is stretching my learning in unexpected ways, bringing me joy and satisfaction.

Jodi Gladstone
Jodi Gladstone

Warwick, Rhode Island, United States

Studying has changed my life view on הלכה and יהדות and time. It has taught me bonudaries of the human nature and honesty of our sages in their discourse to try and build a nation of caring people .

Goldie Gilad
Goldie Gilad

Kfar Saba, Israel

Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.

Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.

Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal
Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal

Merion Station,  USA

Beit Shemesh, Israel

I decided to learn one masechet, Brachot, but quickly fell in love and never stopped! It has been great, everyone is always asking how it’s going and chering me on, and my students are always making sure I did the day’s daf.

Yafit Fishbach
Yafit Fishbach

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.

Medinah Korn
Medinah Korn

בית שמש, Israel

“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!
Deborah Aschheim
Deborah Aschheim

New York, United States

In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

Beth Kissileff
Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

I start learning Daf Yomi in January 2020. The daily learning with Rabbanit Michelle has kept me grounded in this very uncertain time. Despite everything going on – the Pandemic, my personal life, climate change, war, etc… I know I can count on Hadran’s podcast to bring a smile to my face.
Deb Engel
Deb Engel

Los Angeles, United States

I started with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.
Yael Merlini
Yael Merlini

Berlin, Germany

I saw an elderly man at the shul kiddush in early March 2020, celebrating the siyyum of masechet brachot which he had been learning with a young yeshiva student. I thought, if he can do it, I can do it! I began to learn masechet Shabbat the next day, Making up masechet brachot myself, which I had missed. I haven’t missed a day since, thanks to the ease of listening to Hadran’s podcast!
Judith Shapiro
Judith Shapiro

Minnesota, United States

I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.

Miriam Pollack
Miriam Pollack

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

I had never heard of Daf Yomi and after reading the book, The Weight of Ink, I explored more about it. I discovered that it was only 6 months before a whole new cycle started and I was determined to give it a try. I tried to get a friend to join me on the journey but after the first few weeks they all dropped it. I haven’t missed a day of reading and of listening to the podcast.

Anne Rubin
Anne Rubin

Elkins Park, United States

I started my Daf Yomi journey at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.

Karena Perry
Karena Perry

Los Angeles, United States

3 years ago, I joined Rabbanit Michelle to organize the unprecedented Siyum HaShas event in Jerusalem for thousands of women. The whole experience was so inspiring that I decided then to start learning the daf and see how I would go…. and I’m still at it. I often listen to the Daf on my bike in mornings, surrounded by both the external & the internal beauty of Eretz Yisrael & Am Yisrael!

Lisa Kolodny
Lisa Kolodny

Raanana, Israel

I started learning Talmud with R’ Haramati in Yeshivah of Flatbush. But after a respite of 60 years, Rabbanit Michelle lit my fire – after attending the last three world siyumim in Miami Beach, Meadowlands and Boca Raton, and now that I’m retired, I decided – “I can do this!” It has been an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to learning Daf everyday – Mazal Tov to everyone!

Roslyn Jaffe
Roslyn Jaffe

Florida, United States

I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.

Adina Hagege
Adina Hagege

Zichron Yaakov, Israel

When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.

Ruth Leah Kahan
Ruth Leah Kahan

Ra’anana, Israel

I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .

Martha Tarazi
Martha Tarazi

Panama, Panama

I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.

Rachel Rotenberg
Rachel Rotenberg

Tekoa, Israel

Hearing and reading about the siyumim at the completion of the 13 th cycle Daf Yomi asked our shul rabbi about starting the Daf – he directed me to another shiur in town he thought would allow a woman to join, and so I did! Love seeing the sources for the Divrei Torah I’ve been hearing for the past decades of living an observant life and raising 5 children .

Jill Felder
Jill Felder

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Ketubot 36

עֲרָיוֹת מַמָּשׁ, ״שְׁנִיּוֹת״ — מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים, כֵּיוָן דְּמִדְּאוֹרָיְיתָא חַזְיָא לֵיהּ, אַמַּאי אֵין לָהֶן קְנָס? אֶלָּא: ״עֲרָיוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי מִיתוֹת בֵּית דִּין, ״שְׁנִיּוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי כָרֵיתוֹת. אֲבָל חַיָּיבֵי לָאוִין יֵשׁ לָהֶן קְנָס, וּמַנִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הַתִּימְנִי הִיא.

actual forbidden relatives prohibited by Torah law, and secondary relatives means, as it does in most cases, relatives prohibited by rabbinic law, that cannot be, for since those secondary relatives are suitable for him to marry and are not prohibited by Torah law, why do they not receive a fine if they are raped or seduced? Rather, the meaning of these terms in this context is different: Forbidden relatives are those for which one is liable to receive a court-imposed death penalty; secondary relatives are those for which one is liable to receive karet, which are relatively less severe than those for which one is executed. However, those liable for violating regular prohibitions receive payment of a fine if they are raped or seduced. And according to whose opinion is the baraita taught? It is the opinion of Shimon HaTimni, who exempts from paying a fine only one who rapes a woman with whom betrothal is ineffective.

אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי ״עֲרָיוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי מִיתוֹת בֵּית דִּין וְחַיָּיבֵי כָרֵיתוֹת, ״שְׁנִיּוֹת״ — חַיָּיבֵי לָאוִין. מַנִּי — רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא הִיא.

Some say that we can explain that forbidden relatives refers to all relatives with whom relations are forbidden by severe prohibitions, both those for which one is liable to death by the court and those for which he is liable to karet, and secondary relatives refers to those relatives with whom one who engages in relations is liable for violating regular prohibitions. According to this approach, whose opinion does this follow? It is that of Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya, who maintains that even a woman raped by a man forbidden to her by a regular prohibition is not entitled to the fine, despite the fact that betrothal is effective in that case.

הַמְמָאֶנֶת אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. הָא קְטַנָּה בְּעָלְמָא — אִית לַהּ. מַנִּי — רַבָּנַן הִיא דְּאָמְרִי: קְטַנָּה יֵשׁ לָהּ קְנָס, אֵימָא סֵיפָא: אַיְילוֹנִית אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. אֲתָאן לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר, דְּאָמַר: קְטַנָּה אֵין לָהּ קְנָס, וְהָא מִקַּטְנוּתָהּ יָצְתָה לְבֶגֶר. רֵישָׁא רַבָּנַן וְסֵיפָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר!

§ The baraita stated: A girl who refuses to remain married to her husband receives neither payment of a fine for rape nor payment of a fine for seduction, because she was married and therefore lost her presumptive status as a virgin. The Gemara infers: But an ordinary minor girl has a fine for rape. If so, in accordance with whose opinion is the baraita taught? It is the opinion of the Rabbis, who say: A minor girl has a fine for rape. The Gemara asks: Say the latter clause of the baraita: A sexually underdeveloped woman [ailonit] has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction, as she will not develop the signs of puberty and her legal status is that of a minor until she is twenty, at which point she assumes the status of a grown woman. In that halakha, the baraita comes to the opinion of Rabbi Meir, who said: A minor girl does not have a fine for rape, and the same is true for this ailonit, who emerged from her status as a minor at the age of twenty to the status of a grown woman, skipping the stage of a young woman. The first clause of the baraita is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and the latter clause is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir.

וְכִי תֵּימָא: כּוּלַּהּ רַבִּי מֵאִיר הִיא, וּבִמְמָאֶנֶת סָבַר לַהּ כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה. וּמִי סָבַר לַהּ? וְהָתַנְיָא: עַד מָתַי הַבַּת מְמָאֶנֶת — עַד שֶׁתָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: עַד שֶׁיִּרְבֶּה שָׁחוֹר עַל הַלָּבָן.

And if you say that the entire baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, and with regard to a girl who refuses to remain married Rabbi Meir holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, that not only a minor girl but a young woman may also end her marriage through refusal, and the baraita is referring to a young woman and not to a minor; but does he maintain that opinion? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that he disagrees with Rabbi Yehuda in this matter? It was taught: Until when can a girl refuse to remain married? Until she develops two pubic hairs, signs of puberty rendering her a young woman; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: She can refuse until the area covered by the black pubic hairs is greater than the white skin of the genital area. That occurs approximately six months later, at which point she becomes a grown woman.

אֶלָּא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, וּבִקְטַנָּה סָבַר לַהּ כְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר. וּמִי סָבַר לַהּ? וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: זוֹ דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וְאִם אִיתָא, ״זוֹ דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! הַאי תַּנָּא סָבַר לַהּ כְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר בַּחֲדָא, וּפְלִיג עֲלֵיהּ בַּחֲדָא.

Rather, the Gemara suggests: The baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and with regard to a minor girl, he holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, who says that a minor girl does not receive payment of a fine for rape, and therefore, an ailonit is not entitled to payment. The Gemara asks: But does he maintain that opinion? But didn’t Rav Yehuda say that Rav said with regard to the mishna below (40b), which states: Any case where there is the right of a father to effect the sale of his daughter as a Hebrew maidservant, i.e., when she is a minor, there is no fine if she is raped, this is the statement of Rabbi Meir? And if it is so that Rabbi Yehuda maintains that opinion, Rav should have said: This is the statement of Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda. Rather, this tanna of the baraita holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir with regard to one halakha, that there is no fine for the rape of a minor, and disagrees with him with regard to one halakha, that a young woman may conclude her marriage through refusal.

רַפְרָם אָמַר: מַאי ״מְמָאֶנֶת״ — הָרְאוּיָה לְמָאֵן. וְלִיתְנֵי קְטַנָּה! קַשְׁיָא.

Rafram said: This entire baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, and what is the meaning of the statement: With regard to a girl who refuses, there is neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction? It is referring to one who is fit to refuse, i.e., as long as she is a minor she is not entitled to the fine. The Gemara asks: And if that is the case, let the tanna simply teach the halakha with regard to a minor. Why teach a simple halakha in so convoluted a manner? The Gemara concludes: Indeed, this is difficult.

אַיְילוֹנִית אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. וּרְמִינְהִי: הַחֵרֶשֶׁת וְהַשּׁוֹטָה וְהָאַיְילוֹנִית — יֵשׁ לָהֶן קְנָס, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶן טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. וְהָא, מַאי רוּמְיָא? הָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר, הָא רַבָּנַן! וּדְקָאָרֵי לַהּ, מַאי קָאָרֵי לַהּ!

§ The baraita stated: An ailonit has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction. And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a baraita: A deaf-mute, an imbecile, and an ailonit have a fine for rape and they have a claim concerning virginity. If one of these women married with the presumptive status of a virgin and received a corresponding marriage contract, her husband can cause her to lose her marriage contract by claiming that she was not a virgin. The Gemara rejects this argument: And what is the contradiction in this? It can be explained simply: This baraita, in which it was taught that the ailonit receives no fine, is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir; that baraita, in which it was taught that the ailonit receives a fine, is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis. The Gemara is puzzled: And as the resolution is so obvious, he who raised the contradiction, why did he raise it? The dispute between Rabbi Meir and the Rabbis in this matter is known.

מִשּׁוּם דְּאִית לֵיהּ לְמִירְמֵא אַחֲרִיתִי עִילָּוֵיהּ: הַחֵרֶשֶׁת וְהַשּׁוֹטָה וְהַבּוֹגֶרֶת ומוּכַּת עֵץ — אֵין לָהֶן טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. הַסּוֹמָא וְאַיְילוֹנִית — יֵשׁ לָהֶן טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. סוֹמְכוֹס אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: סוֹמָא אֵין לָהּ טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים.

The Gemara answers: He cited this baraita due to the fact that he has another baraita from which to raise as a contradiction to it: A deaf-mute, and an imbecile, and a grown woman, and a woman whose hymen was torn not in the course of sexual relations, do not have a claim concerning virginity, as they do not have the presumptive status of a virgin. However, a blind woman and an ailonit have a claim concerning virginity. Sumakhos says in the name of Rabbi Meir: A blind woman does not have a claim concerning virginity. The baraitot contradict each other with regard to the claim concerning virginity of a deaf-mute and an imbecile.

אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת, לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, וְהָא רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. אֵימַר דְּשָׁמְעַתְּ לֵיהּ לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הֵיכָא דְּקָא טָעֲנָה אִיהִי, הֵיכָא דְּלָא קָא טָעֲנָה אִיהִי, מִי שָׁמְעַתְּ לֵיהּ? אִין, כֵּיוָן דְּאָמַר רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל מְהֵימְנָא, כְּגוֹן זוֹ ״פְּתַח פִּיךָ לְאִלֵּם״ הוּא.

Rav Sheshet said: This is not difficult, as this baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabban Gamliel, who holds that a woman who, in response to a claim concerning her virginity, is believed if she says that she was raped after her betrothal and therefore does not lose her marriage contract. And that baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua, who says that a woman is not believed if she makes that claim, and therefore she loses her marriage contract. The Gemara asks: Say that you heard that Rabban Gamliel accepts her contention in a case where she claims that she was raped after the betrothal; however, in a case where she did not claim that that was the case, did you hear that he accepts her contention? The Gemara answers: Yes, since Rabban Gamliel said she is believed when she states that she was raped after betrothal, the deaf-mute and the imbecile are also believed even though they are unable to make the claim, as in a cases like that, it is a case of: “Open your mouth for the mute” (Proverbs 31:8). When a person lacks the capacity to proffer the claim on his own, the court makes the claim on her behalf.

וְהַבּוֹגֶרֶת אֵין לָהּ טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. וְהָאָמַר רַב: בּוֹגֶרֶת, נוֹתְנִין לָהּ לַיְלָה הָרִאשׁוֹן!

§ The baraita stated: A grown woman does not have a claim concerning virginity because of changes as her body matures, her hymen is no longer completely intact. The Gemara asks: But didn’t Rav say: The Sages give a grown woman who had relations on her wedding night, the entire first night, during which she may have relations with her husband several times? Any blood seen during that night is attributed to the blood of her hymen, which is ritually pure, and not menstrual blood. Apparently, even a grown woman has her hymen intact.

אִי דְּקָא טָעֵין טַעֲנַת דָּמִים — הָכִי נָמֵי. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן — דְּקָטָעֵין טַעֲנַת פֶּתַח פָּתוּחַ.

The Gemara answers: If he proffers a claim that there was no blood after consummating the marriage, indeed he can cause her to lose her marriage contract with that claim. However, with what are we dealing here in the baraita? We are dealing with one who proffers a claim that he encountered an open entrance, i.e., there was no hymen. As the hymen of an adult woman is no longer completely intact, the claim is of no consequence.

סוֹמְכוֹס אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: סוֹמָא אֵין לָהּ טַעֲנַת בְּתוּלִים. מַאי טַעְמָא דְּסוֹמְכוֹס? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנֶּחְבֶּטֶת עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע. כּוּלְּהוּ נָמֵי חַבּוֹטֵי מִיחַבְּטִי? כּוּלְּהוּ, רוֹאוֹת וּמַרְאוֹת לְאִמָּן. זוֹ, אֵינָהּ רוֹאָה וְאֵינָהּ מַרְאָה לְאִמָּהּ.

The baraita continues: Sumakhos says in the name of Rabbi Meir: A blind woman does not have a claim concerning virginity. The Gemara asks: What is the rationale for the statement of Sumakhos? Rabbi Zeira said: Due to the fact that a blind woman is struck by falling onto the ground, causing her hymen to break. The Gemara asks: All girls tend to be struck by falling onto the ground as well; what is unique about blind girls? The Gemara answers: When all of the other girls fall, they see the blood flow and show it to their mother. The mother would then examine them and discover that her hymen was broken. This blind girl does not see the flow of blood and therefore does not show it too her mother. Due to that possibility, the man who married the blind woman must have considered the likelihood that her hymen is not intact, and therefore he cannot make a claim concerning virginity.

וְהַיּוֹצֵאת מִשּׁוּם שֵׁם רָע אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי. הַיּוֹצֵאת מִשּׁוּם שֵׁם רָע — בַּת סְקִילָה הִיא! אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: הָכִי קָאָמַר: מִי שֶׁיָּצָא עָלֶיהָ שֵׁם רַע בְּיַלְדוּתָהּ — אֵין לָהּ לֹא קְנָס וְלֹא פִּיתּוּי.

§ The previous baraita concluded: And one who leaves her husband due to a bad reputation has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction. The initial understanding is that the baraita is referring to a young betrothed woman who leaves her husband because she committed adultery. The Gemara asks: One who leaves her husband due to a bad reputation is subject to stoning as an adulteress; clearly she is not entitled to the fine. Rav Sheshet said: This is what the baraita is saying: One about whom a bad reputation emerged in her youth that she engaged in sexual relations has neither a fine for rape nor a fine for seduction, as the assumption is that she is no longer a virgin.

אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: הַאי שְׁטָרָא רִיעָא לָא מַגְבֵּינַן בֵּיהּ. הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִילֵּימָא דִּנְפַק קָלָא עֲלֵיהּ דִּשְׁטָרָא (דְּ)זַיְיפָא הוּא, דִּכְווֹתַהּ הָכָא, דִּנְפַק עֲלַהּ קָלָא דְּזַנַּאי, וְהָא אָמַר רָבָא: יָצָא לָהּ שֵׁם מְזַנָּה בָּעִיר — אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לָהּ.

Rav Pappa said: Conclude from it with regard to this tainted document whose authenticity was compromised that we do not collect a debt with it. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances? If you say that a rumor emerged about it that it is a forged document, and in the corresponding case here, the case of a bad reputation, that a rumor emerged about her that she engaged in promiscuous sexual relations; but didn’t Rava say: If a rumor emerged about a woman in a town as one who engaged in promiscuous sexual relations, one need not be concerned about it? The assumption is that it is insubstantial, as a reputation based on rumor is disregarded.

אֶלָּא דַּאֲתוֹ בֵּי תְרֵי וְאָמְרִי: לְדִידְהוּ תְּבַעְתַּנְהִי בְּאִיסּוּרָא. דִּכְווֹתַהּ הָכָא: דַּאֲתוֹ בֵּי תְרֵי וְאָמְרִי: לְדִידְהוּ אֲמַר לְהוּ: ״זַיִּיפוּ לִי״. בִּשְׁלָמָא הָתָם — שְׁכִיחִי פְּרוּצִין. אֶלָּא הָכָא, אִם הוּא הוּחְזַק, כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִי הוּחְזְקוּ? הָכָא נָמֵי: כֵּיוָן דְּקָא מְהַדַּר אַזִּיּוּפָא, אֵימַר, זַיּוֹפֵי זַיֵּיף וּכְתַב.

Rather, it is that two witnesses came and said: She propositioned us to engage in forbidden relations, and in the corresponding case here with regard to a document, it is a case where two people came and said that he said to us: Forge a document for me. The Gemara asks: Granted, there, in the case of the rumor of promiscuity, immoral men are common, and even if they refused her, presumably she found someone willing to engage in relations with her. However, here, with regard to forgery, even if he assumed presumptive status as one seeking a forgery, do all the Jewish people assume presumptive status as forgers? Why is the assumption that the document was forged? The Gemara answers: Here too, since he is actively seeking a forgery, say that he forged the document and wrote it. Even if others are not suspected of cooperating with him, there is suspicion with regard to the document. Therefore, the case of the tainted document and the woman with a bad reputation are comparable.

מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין לָהֶן קְנָס: הַבָּא עַל הַגִּיּוֹרֶת וְעַל הַשְּׁבוּיָה וְעַל הַשִּׁפְחָה שֶׁנִּפְדּוּ וְשֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּירוּ וְשֶׁנִּשְׁתַּחְרְרוּ, יְתֵירוֹת עַל בְּנוֹת שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: שְׁבוּיָה שֶׁנִּפְדֵּית — הֲרֵי הִיא בִּקְדוּשָּׁתָהּ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגְּדוֹלָה.

MISHNA: And these are the cases of young women who do not have a fine paid to their fathers when they are raped or seduced: One who has intercourse with a convert or with a captive woman or with a gentile maidservant, who were redeemed, converted, or emancipated when they were more than three years and one day old, as presumably they are no longer virgins. Rabbi Yehuda says: A captive woman who was redeemed remains in her state of sanctity even though she is an adult, as it cannot be stated that she certainly engaged in intercourse.

הַבָּא עַל בִּתּוֹ, עַל בַּת בִּתּוֹ, עַל בַּת בְּנוֹ, עַל בַּת אִשְׁתּוֹ, עַל בַּת בְּנָהּ, עַל בַּת בִּתָּהּ — אֵין לָהֶן קְנָס, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּתְחַיֵּיב בְּנַפְשׁוֹ, שֶׁמִּיתָתָן בִּידֵי בֵּית דִּין. וְכׇל הַמִּתְחַיֵּיב בְּנַפְשׁוֹ אֵין מְשַׁלֵּם מָמוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאִם לֹא יִהְיֶה אָסוֹן עָנוֹשׁ יֵעָנֵשׁ״.

The mishna resumes its list of the cases of young women who are not entitled to a fine when raped or seduced by the following men: In the case of one who engages in intercourse with his daughter, with his daughter’s daughter, with his son’s daughter, with his wife’s daughter, with her son’s daughter, or with her daughter’s daughter; they do not receive payment of a fine. That is due to the fact that he is liable to receive the death penalty, and that their death penalty is administered by the court, and anyone who is liable to receive the death penalty does not pay money, as it is stated: “And yet no harm follow, he shall be punished” (Exodus 21:22). This verse indicates that if a woman dies and the one who struck her is liable to receive the death penalty, he is exempt from payment.

גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי דּוֹסָא אָמְרוּ דָּבָר אֶחָד. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה — הָא דַּאֲמַרַן. רַבִּי דּוֹסָא, דְּתַנְיָא: שְׁבוּיָה — אוֹכֶלֶת בִּתְרוּמָה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי דּוֹסָא. אָמַר רַבִּי דּוֹסָא: וְכִי מָה עָשָׂה לָהּ עַרְבִי הַלָּז? וְכִי מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּיעֵךְ לָהּ בֵּין דַּדֶּיהָ, פְּסָלָהּ מִן הַכְּהוּנָּה?

GEMARA: Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Dosa said one and the same thing with regard to a captive woman. The statement of Rabbi Yehuda is that which we said in the mishna. The statement of Rabbi Dosa is as it is taught in a baraita: A captive daughter or wife of a priest, who was redeemed, partakes of teruma; this is the statement of Rabbi Dosa. In explanation, Rabbi Dosa said: And what did this Arab who took her captive do to her? And due to the fact that he lasciviously squeezed between her breasts, did he render her unfit to marry into the priesthood? Although he may have taken liberties with her, there is no concern that he had relations with her.

אָמַר רַבָּה: דִּלְמָא לָא הִיא, עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָכָא, אֶלָּא שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר? אֲבָל הָתָם — כְּרַבָּנַן סְבִירָא לֵיהּ. אִי נָמֵי: עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי דּוֹסָא הָתָם, אֶלָּא בִּתְרוּמָה דְּרַבָּנַן. אֲבָל קְנָס דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא — כְּרַבָּנַן סְבִירָא לֵיהּ.

Rabba said: Perhaps that is not so, and their opinions differ. Perhaps Rabbi Yehuda states his opinion only here with regard to payment of a fine, so that the sinner will not profit through exemption from the fine because this girl was taken captive in her youth. However, there, with regard to teruma, he holds in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and she is unfit to marry a priest. Alternatively, there is another distinction between their opinions. Perhaps Rabbi Dosa stated his opinion only there, with regard to teruma whose legal status today is by rabbinic law, and therefore he rules leniently. However, with regard to payment of a fine, which is mandated by Torah law, he holds in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and the rapist is exempt from payment based on the principle: The burden of proof is incumbent upon the claimant, and she cannot prove that her captors did not engage in intercourse with her and that she is a virgin.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: וְטַעְמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָכָא, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר הוּא? וְהָא תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: שְׁבוּיָה שֶׁנִּשְׁבֵּית — הֲרֵי הִיא בִּקְדוּשָּׁתָהּ, אֲפִילּוּ בַּת עֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים — כְּתוּבָּתָהּ מָאתַיִם. וְהָתָם מַאי ״שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר״ אִיכָּא? הָתָם נָמֵי, דִּלְמָא מִימַּנְעִי וְלָא נָסְבִי לַהּ.

Abaye said to Rabba: And is the rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda here, in the case of a fine, to ensure that the sinner will not profit? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: A captive woman who was taken captive remains in her state of sanctity with the presumptive status of a virgin? Even if she was in captivity when she was ten years old, her marriage contract is two hundred dinars. And there, in that case, what relevance is there for the rationale: To ensure that the sinner will not profit? That baraita refers to a marriage contract and no transgression is involved. The Gemara answers: There too, Rabbi Yehuda issues the same ruling for a different reason. She receives the marriage contract of a virgin because if she didn’t, perhaps men would refrain and not marry her, due to their suspicion that her captors violated her.

וְסָבַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בִּקְדוּשְׁתַּהּ קָיְימָה? וְהָתַנְיָא: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה — יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. מֵעִיד בָּהּ — לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה! הָא גּוּפַהּ קַשְׁיָא, אָמְרַתְּ: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה — יִשָּׂאֶנָּה, וַהֲדַר תְּנָא: מֵעִיד בָּהּ — לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. מִשּׁוּם דְּמֵעִיד בָּהּ לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה?!

The Gemara asks: And does Rabbi Yehuda maintain that a captive woman remains in her state of sanctity? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: One who redeems a captive may marry her, even if he is a priest, but if he testifies that she did not engage in sexual relations while in captivity, he may not marry her? Rabbi Yehuda says: Both in this case, where he redeemed her, and in that case, where he testified, he may not marry her, lest she was violated and rendered unfit to marry a priest. The Gemara comments: This baraita itself is difficult. On the one hand you said: One who redeems a captive may marry her, and then it was taught: If he testifies that she did not engage in sexual relations while in captivity, he may not marry her. Is that to say that due to the fact that he also testifies that she was not violated he may not marry her?

הָא לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה וּמֵעִיד בָּהּ — יִשָּׂאֶנָּה, מֵעִיד בָּהּ כְּדִי — לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה.

The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as this is what the baraita is saying: One who redeems a captive woman and testifies that she was not violated may marry her. However, if he only testifies that she was not violated he may not marry her.

מִכׇּל מָקוֹם קַשְׁיָא לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה! אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, אֵימָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם כִּדְקָתָנֵי, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה לְדִבְרֵיהֶם דְּרַבָּנַן קָאָמַר לְהוּ: לְדִידִי — בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ יִשָּׂאֶנָּה, אֶלָּא לְדִידְכוּ — בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה מִבְּעֵי לֵיהּ!

With regard to the apparent contradiction between the two statements of Rabbi Yehuda, the Gemara says: In any case, this baraita is difficult according to Rabbi Yehuda, as contrary to his earlier statement, he states that a captive woman does not retain the presumptive status of a virgin. Rav Pappa said: Emend the text and say that Rabbi Yehuda says: Both in this case and in that case he may marry her. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, says: Actually, do not emend the baraita and learn it as it was taught. In the baraita, Rabbi Yehuda spoke to them according to the statement of the Rabbis. According to my opinion, that the presumptive status of a redeemed captive woman is that of a virgin, both in this case and in that case he may marry her. However, according to your opinion that there is concern lest she was violated, the halakha should be that both in this case and in that case he may not marry her.

וְרַבָּנַן: הַפּוֹדֶה אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיָה וּמֵעִיד בָּהּ יִשָּׂאֶנָּה — לָא שָׁדֵי אִינִישׁ זוּזֵי בִּכְדִי. מֵעִיד בָּהּ כְּדִי לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה — שֶׁמָּא עֵינָיו נָתַן בָּהּ.

The Gemara asks: And how do the Rabbis explain their ruling? They explain: One who redeems a captive woman and testifies that she was not violated may marry her, as a person does not throw away money for nothing. If he paid the ransom to redeem her, he must be certain that she is a virgin. One who only testifies that she was not violated may not marry her, lest he had his eye on her to marry her and is prepared to lie to facilitate that marriage.

רָמֵי לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא בַּר שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב יוֹסֵף:

Rav Pappa bar Shmuel raised a contradiction before Rav Yosef:

Want to follow content and continue where you left off?

Create an account today to track your progress, mark what you’ve learned, and follow the shiurim that speak to you.

Clear all items from this list?

This will remove ALL the items in this section. You will lose any progress or history connected to them. This is irreversible.

Cancel
Yes, clear all

Are you sure you want to delete this item?

You will lose any progress or history connected to this item.

Cancel
Yes, delete