Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Niddah 96:17

ת"ר צד שמאל קודם לצד ימין רבי חנינא בן אחי ר' יהושע אומר

women examine them.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' But, whether they report the presence of hair or their absence, the girls in the former case (a time when hairs are regarded as a mere 'mole') are treated as minors. In the latter case (a time when pubic hairs and maturity may well be expected) the girls are deemed to be of age if the women report the presence of hairs; but even if they report their absence, the girls cannot be treated as minors (since the hairs may have fallen off) and they are consequently deprived of the right of mi'un (v. Glos.). ');"><sup>14</sup></span>

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.
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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.
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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.
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