Commentary for Kiddushin 98:3
על מנת שאני גבור אין אומרים כאבנר בן נר וכיואב בן צרויה אלא כל שחביריו מתיראים ממנו מפני גבורתו על מנת שאני עשיר אין אומרים כרבי אלעזר בן חרסום וכרבי אלעזר בן עזריה אלא כל שבני עירו מכבדים אותו מפני עושרו
'On condition that I am a Sage,' we do not say, like the Sages of Jabneh<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A town to the north west of Jerusalem, whither R. Johanan b. Zakkai transferred the great Sanhedrin after the fall of Jerusalem; v. Sanh. (Sonc. ed.) p. 204 n. 8.');"><sup>5</sup></span> or like R'Akiba and his companions, but one who can be asked a matter of wisdom<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Rashi: a matter dependent on logic.');"><sup>6</sup></span> in any place and he can answer it.'
Daf Shevui to Kiddushin
In all of these cases, we take the most minimal possible meaning of the word. We should note that this does not necessarily mean that one who, for instance, is able to answer one matter of wisdom is truly considered wise. Rather, the issue is that with betrothal, we need to err on the side of caution. If we consider her betrothed and she is not, the consequences are minimal. But if we consider her not betrothed and she is, and then she marries someone else, her kids are mamzerim.
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