Responsa for Niddah 95:14
והכי נמי מסתברא דאי ס"ד פליגי מאן דאמר לערכין לא אמר ליוצא דופן
[the difficulty would arise:] Did not Rab in fact state, 'It is the law throughout this chapter that age is calculated from one point of time to another point of time'?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Supra 47b. Of course he did. Consequently it must be admitted that Rab and R. Joseph are essentially of the same opinion. ');"><sup>14</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. L, an orphan, was betrothed by her mother to A. Subsequently A was killed on a day of rioting and massacre leaving a year-old brother. L is eleven years old according to the testimony of women, and has no symptoms of pubescence. May L sever her dependence upon A's brother by "Refusal"?
A. We follow Alfasi (Yeb. 107b) who rules that a minor may sever her dependency upon her levir by "Refusal". In this case we accept the testimony of the aforesaid women regarding her age and condition.
This Responsum is addressed to Rabbi Yakar haLevi.
SOURCES: Cr. 81.
A. We follow Alfasi (Yeb. 107b) who rules that a minor may sever her dependency upon her levir by "Refusal". In this case we accept the testimony of the aforesaid women regarding her age and condition.
This Responsum is addressed to Rabbi Yakar haLevi.
SOURCES: Cr. 81.
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Teshuvot Maharam
Q. A minor orphan girl was betrothed to A. She wants to exercise the right of "Refusal" (סירוב). May the testimony of female witnesses be accepted that the girl is only eleven years old and, therefore, may still exercise the right of "Refusal"?
A. The mere ceremony of betrothal, without cohabitation, is binding only because of Rabbinic enactment, but is not binding according to Biblical law. The testimony of women is acceptable in the annulment of a marriage that is valid only according to Rabbinic enactment. Therefore, since A did not cohabit with the orphan, the testimony of the female witnesses is to be admitted in evidence.
SOURCES: Cr. 286; Pr. 569; L. 389; Mord. Yeb. 60, 61; Tesh. Maim. to Nashim, 14.
A. The mere ceremony of betrothal, without cohabitation, is binding only because of Rabbinic enactment, but is not binding according to Biblical law. The testimony of women is acceptable in the annulment of a marriage that is valid only according to Rabbinic enactment. Therefore, since A did not cohabit with the orphan, the testimony of the female witnesses is to be admitted in evidence.
SOURCES: Cr. 286; Pr. 569; L. 389; Mord. Yeb. 60, 61; Tesh. Maim. to Nashim, 14.
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