Niddah 89

Chapter 89

א בשלמא לר' יוחנן כי היכי דאיכא תנא דקאמר יום אחד בשנה חשוב שנה הכי נמי איכא תנא דאמר ל' יום בשנה חשובין שנה
1 Now, all is well according to R. Johanan, for just as there is a Tanna<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the Baraitha just cited. ');"><sup>1</sup></span> who holds<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As evidenced by his ruling, 'Even one of the age of two years and one day'. ');"><sup>2</sup></span> that one day of a year is counted as a year so there may also be a Tanna who holds<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As R. Johanan submitted supra according to R. Meir. ');"><sup>3</sup></span>
ב אלא לר' ינאי קשיא קשיא
2 that thirty days of a year are counted as a full year; but, according to R. Jannai,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. the school of R. Jannai who submitted supra that even R. Meir does not regard the part of the third year as a full year. ');"><sup>4</sup></span>
ג פחות מכאן כנותן אצבע בעין איבעיא להו הני בתולין מיזל אזלי ואתו או דלמא אתצודי הוא דלא מתצדי עד לאחר ג'
3 does not this<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf prev. n. but two. ');"><sup>5</sup></span> present a difficulty? — This is a difficulty. IF ONE WAS YOUNGER THAN THIS AGE, INTERCOURSE WITH HER IS LIKE PUTTING A FINGER IN THE EYE. It was asked, Do the features of virginity<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Of one under three years of age. ');"><sup>6</sup></span>
ד למאי נפקא מינה כגון שבעל בתוך ג' ומצא דם ובעל לאחר שלש ולא מצא דם אי אמרת מיזל אזלי ואתו שהות הוא דלא הויא להו
4 disappear<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As a result of intercourse. ');"><sup>7</sup></span> and reappear again<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'going do they go and come'. ');"><sup>8</sup></span> or is it possible that they cannot be completely destroyed until after the third year of her age? In what practical respect could this matter? — In one, for instance, where her husband had intercourse with her before the age of<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'within'. ');"><sup>9</sup></span>
ה אלא אי אמרת אתצודי הוא דלא מתצדי עד לאחר ג' הא אחר בא עליה מאי
5 
ו מתקיף לה רב חייא בריה דרב איקא ומאן לימא לן דמכה שבתוך ג' אינה חוזרת לאלתר שמא חוזרת לאלתר והא אחר בא עליה
6 three and found blood, and when he had intercourse after the age of three he found no blood. If you grant that they disappear and reappear again [it might well be assumed]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As a reason for the absence of blood. ');"><sup>10</sup></span> that<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Owing to his continued intercourse. ');"><sup>11</sup></span>
ז אלא נפקא מינה כגון שבעל בתוך ג' ומצא דם ובעל לאחר ג' ומצא דם אי אמרת מיזל אזלי ואתו האי דם בתולין הוא אלא אי אמרת אתצודי הוא דלא מתצדי אלא עד לאחר ג' האי דם נדה הוא מאי
7 there 'was not sufficient time for their reappearance, but if you maintain that they cannot be destroyed until after the age of three years it would be obvious that<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'surely', since the husband found no traces of bleeding. ');"><sup>12</sup></span> a stranger cohabited with her.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' After she had attained the age of three. She would consequently be subjected to the disqualifications of a harlot. ');"><sup>13</sup></span> Now what is your decision? — R. Hiyya son of R. Ika demurred: But who can tell us that a wound inflicted within the three years is not healed<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'returns'. ');"><sup>14</sup></span>
ח אמר רב חסדא ת"ש פחות מכאן כנותן אצבע בעין למה לי למתני כנותן אצבע בעין לתני פחות מכאן ולא כלום מאי לאו הא קמ"ל מה עין מדמעת וחוזרת ומדמעת אף בתולין מיזל אזלי ואתי
8 forthwith, seeing it is possible that it is immediately healed and it would thus be obvious<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'surely', since the husband found no traces of bleeding. ');"><sup>12</sup></span> that a stranger had cohabited with her?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' After she had attained the age of three. She would consequently be subjected to the disqualifications of a harlot. ');"><sup>13</sup></span> Rather the practical difference is the case, for instance, where her husband had intercourse with her while she was under<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'within'. ');"><sup>15</sup></span> three years of age and found blood and when he had intercourse after the age of three he also found blood. If you grant that the features disappear and reappear again the blood might well be treated as that of virginity, but if you maintain that they cannot be destroyed until after the age of three years, that<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The blood found while she was under three. ');"><sup>16</sup></span>
ט ת"ר מעשה ביוסטני בתו של אסוירוס בן אנטנינוס שבאת לפני רבי אמרה לו רבי אשה בכמה ניסת אמר לה בת ג' שנים ויום אחד
9 must be the blood of menstruation. Now what is your decision? — R. Hisda replied, Come and hear: IF ONE WAS YOUNGER THAN THIS AGE, INTERCOURSE WITH HER IS LIKE PUTTING A FINGER IN THE EYE; what need was there to state, LIKE PUTTING A FINGER IN THE EYE' instead of merely saying: IF ONE WAS YOUNGER THAN THIS AGE, INTERCOURSE WITH HER IS of no consequence'? Does not this then teach us that as the eye tears and tears again so do the features of virginity disappear and reappear again. Our Rabbis taught: It is related of Justinia<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For a different reading and a biographical note v. Golds. ');"><sup>17</sup></span> the daughter of 'Aseverus son of Antonius that she once appeared before Rabbi 'Master', she said to him, 'at what age may a woman marry?'. 'At the age of three years and one day', he told her. 'And at what age is she capable of conception?' 'At the age of twelve years and one day', he replied. 'I', she said to him, 'married at the age of six and bore a child at the age of seven; alas for the three years that I have lost at my father's house'. But can a woman conceive at the age of six years? Did not R. Bibi recite in the presence of R. Nahman: Three classes of woman may use an absorbent<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Muk, flax or hackled wool. ');"><sup>18</sup></span> in their marital intercourse:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To avoid conception. ');"><sup>19</sup></span> A minor, and an expectant and a nursing mother. The minor,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Is permitted the use of the absorbent. ');"><sup>20</sup></span> because otherwise she might become pregnant and die. An expectant mother,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Is permitted the use of the absorbent. ');"><sup>20</sup></span>
י ובכמה מתעברת אמר לה בת י"ב שנה ויום אחד אמרה לו אני נשאתי בשש וילדתי בשבע אוי לשלש שנים שאבדתי בבית אבא
10 because otherwise she might cause her foetus to degenerate into a sandal.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A fish-shaped abortion. Lit., 'flat-fish'. ');"><sup>21</sup></span> A nursing mother,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Is permitted the use of the absorbent. ');"><sup>20</sup></span> because otherwise she might have to wean her child prematurely,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' On account of her second conception which causes the deterioration of her breast milk. ');"><sup>22</sup></span> and this would result in his death. And what is the age of such a 'minor'?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Of whom it has been said that she is capable of conception but is thereby exposed to fatal consequences. ');"><sup>23</sup></span> From the age of eleven years and one day to the age of twelve years and one day. One who is under<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When conception is impossible. ');"><sup>24</sup></span>
יא ומי מעברה והתני רב ביבי קמיה דרב נחמן ג' נשים משמשות במוך קטנה מעוברת ומניקה
11 or over this age<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When conception involves no danger. ');"><sup>25</sup></span> must carry on her marital intercourse in a normal manner; so R. Meir. But the Sages ruled: The one as well as the other carries on her marital intercourse in a normal manner and mercy<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To protect them from harm. ');"><sup>26</sup></span> will be vouchsafed from heaven, for it is said in Scripture, The Lord preserveth the simple?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. CXVI, 6; sc. those who are unable to protect themselves. At any rate it was here stated that a minor under eleven years of age is incapable of conception. How then is Justinia's story to be reconciled with this statement? ');"><sup>27</sup></span>
יב קטנה שמא תתעבר ותמות מעוברת שמא תעשה עוברה סנדל מניקה שמא תגמול את בנה וימות
12 — If you wish I might reply: Whose flesh is as the flesh of asses.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ezek. XXIII, 20. ');"><sup>28</sup></span>
יג ואיזוהי קטנה מבת י"א שנה ויום אחד ועד י"ב שנה ויום אחד פחות מכאן או יתר על כן משמשת והולכת דברי ר"מ
13 And if you prefer I might reply: Whose mouth speaketh falsehood, and their right hand is a right hand of lying.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. CXLIV, 8. ');"><sup>29</sup></span> Our Rabbis taught: A story is told of a certain woman who came before R. Akiba and said to him, 'Master, intercourse has been forced upon me<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' By a disqualified person. ');"><sup>30</sup></span>
יד וחכ"א אחת זו ואחת זו משמשת כדרכה והולכת ומן השמים ירחמו שנאמר (תהלים קטז, ו) שומר פתאים ה'
14 when I was under<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'within'. ');"><sup>31</sup></span> three years of age; what is my position towards the priesthood?'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. is she permitted to marry a priest? ');"><sup>32</sup></span>
טו איבעית אימא (יחזקאל כג, כ) אשר בשר חמורים בשרם ואיבעית אימא (תהלים קמד, ח) אשר פיהם דבר שוא וימינם ימין שקר
15 'You are fit for the priesthood',<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. prev. n. ');"><sup>33</sup></span> he replied. 'Master', she continued, 'I will give you a comparison; to what may the incident be compared? To a babe whose finger was submerged<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'they hid for him'. ');"><sup>34</sup></span> in honey. The first time and the second time he cries about it, but the third time he sucks it'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. he ultimately enjoyed the experience. ');"><sup>35</sup></span> 'If so', he replied, 'you are unfit for the priesthood'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. prev. n. ');"><sup>36</sup></span>
טז ת"ר מעשה באשה אחת שבאת לפני ר"ע אמרה לו ר' נבעלתי בתוך שלש שנים מה אני לכהונה אמר לה כשרה את לכהונה
16 Observing that the students were looking at each other,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Amazed or perplexed. ');"><sup>37</sup></span> he said to them, 'Why do you find the ruling difficult?'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'why is the thing difficult in your eyes'. ');"><sup>38</sup></span> 'Because', they replied, 'as all the Torah is a tradition that was handed to Moses at Sinai so is the law that a girl under the age of three years<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Who had intercourse. ');"><sup>39</sup></span> is fit for the priesthood one that was handed to Moses at Sinai'. R. Akiba too made his statement<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' 'If so, you are unfit etc.' ');"><sup>40</sup></span>
יז אמרה לו רבי אמשול לך משל למה הדבר דומה לתינוק שטמנו לו אצבעו בדבש פעם ראשונה ושניה גוער בה שלישית מצצה אמר לה אם כן פסולה את לכהונה
17 only for the purpose of exercising the wits of<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'to sharpen'. ');"><sup>41</sup></span> the students.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' By affording them the opportunity of questioning his ruling. ');"><sup>42</sup></span> <b><i>MISHNAH</i></b>. IF A BOY OF THE AGE OF NINE YEARS AND ONE DAY COHABITED WITH HIS CHILDLESS BROTHER'S WIDOW, HE<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since his marriage with the widow is Pentateuchally ordained. ');"><sup>43</sup></span> ACQUIRES HER THEREBY,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And in consequence gains possession of his deceased brother's estate, though elsewhere a minor cannot acquire possession. ');"><sup>44</sup></span> BUT<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since his deceased brother's marriage was fully valid and his own bond with the widow is consequently equally valid, while his divorce, being merely that of a minor, has no validity. ');"><sup>45</sup></span>
יח ראה התלמידים מסתכלים זה בזה אמר להם למה הדבר קשה בעיניכם [אמרו ליה] כשם שכל התורה הלכה למשה מסיני כך פחותה מבת שלש שנים כשרה לכהונה הלכה למשה מסיני ואף רבי עקיבא לא אמרה אלא לחדד בה את התלמידים
18 HE CANNOT DIVORCE HER UNTIL HE ATTAINS HIS MAJORITY. HE CONTRACTS UNCLEANNESS THROUGH INTERCOURSE WITH A MENSTRUANT AND HE IN TURN CONVEYS THE SAME DEGREE OF UNCLEANNESS TO THAT UPON WHICH HE LIES AS [DOES A <i>ZAB</i>] TO THAT WHICH HAS LAIN UPON HIM.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'the lower couch as the upper'. ');"><sup>46</sup></span> HE<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If he is a disqualified person, a bastard, for instance, or a slave. ');"><sup>47</sup></span> DISQUALIFIES A WOMAN FROM THE PRIESTHOOD,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If she was the daughter of a priest she loses her right to the eating of terumah. ');"><sup>48</sup></span> BUT<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though a priest. ');"><sup>49</sup></span> CANNOT CONFER UPON ONE<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If, for instance, he had intercourse with his childless brother's widow. ');"><sup>50</sup></span> THE RIGHT TO EAT <i>TERUMAH</i>.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though he acquires her as his wife. ');"><sup>51</sup></span>
יט <big><strong>מתני׳</strong></big> בן תשע שנים ויום אחד שבא על יבמתו קנאה ואין נותן גט עד שיגדיל
19 HE RENDERS A BEAST<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If he covered it, though his act was seen by one witness only. ');"><sup>52</sup></span>
כ ומטמא בנדה לטמא משכב תחתון כעליון
20 INVALID FOR THE ALTAR, AND IT IS STONED ON HIS ACCOUNT.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If his act (cf. prev. n.) was observed by two witnesses. ');"><sup>53</sup></span>
כא ופוסל ואינו מאכיל בתרומה ופוסל את הבהמה מע"ג המזבח ונסקלת על ידו ואם בא על אחת מכל העריות האמורות בתורה מומתין על ידו והוא פטור
21 IF HE HAD INTERCOURSE WITH ANY OF THE FORBIDDEN DEGREES THAT ARE ENUMERATED IN THE TORAH, SHE IS TO BE EXECUTED ON HIS ACCOUNT, THOUGH HE<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' On account of his minority. ');"><sup>54</sup></span> IS EXEMPT FROM PUNISHMENT.
כב <big><strong>גמ׳</strong></big> ולכשיגדיל בגט סגי לה והתניא עשו ביאת בן ט' כמאמר בגדול
22 <b><i>GEMARA</i></b>. But when HE ATTAINS HIS MAJORITY, is<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As our Mishnah seems to imply. ');"><sup>55</sup></span> a divorce alone sufficient? Was it not taught: The cohabitation of a boy of nine years<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And one day. ');"><sup>56</sup></span> of age was given the same validity as that of a ma'amar<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Glos. ');"><sup>57</sup></span>
כג מה מאמר בגדול צריך גט למאמרו וחליצה לזיקתו אף ביאת בן ט' צריך גט למאמרו וחליצה לזיקתו
23 
כד אמר רב הכי קאמר
24 by an adult; as a ma'amar by an adult requires<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the parties have agreed upon a divorce. ');"><sup>58</sup></span> a divorce in respect of his ma'amar and <i>halizah</i> in respect of his marital bond so does the cohabitation of a boy of nine years of age<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And one day. ');"><sup>56</sup></span> require<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the parties have agreed upon a divorce. ');"><sup>58</sup></span> a divorce in respect of his ma'amar<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Which corresponds to intercourse which is another form of kinyan (v. Glos.) Alfasi reads: in respect of his intercourse. ');"><sup>59</sup></span> and <i>halizah</i> in respect of his marital bond?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' How then could it be ruled here that a divorce alone suffices? ');"><sup>60</sup></span> — Rab replied: It is this that was meant:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' By our Mishnah. ');"><sup>61</sup></span>
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