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Does an aylonis leave servitude through simanim (physical signs) or through gadlus (maturity status)? The shiur explores a fundamental chakira: whether yetzia works retroactively (lamafrea) to when simanim appeared (age 17), or to the stage of gadlus of bagrus (age 12 or 12½). This distinction resolves why a father cannot sell beyond bagrus and why the pasuk "ein kesef" is necessary.
The shiur opens with two foundational questions on Kiddushin 4a. First, how does the Gemara (גמרא) know that a girl who doesn't develop simanim (an aylonis) won't go out with simanim of narus? Perhaps she requires both narus and bagrus—two stages of development—while a regular girl needs only one. Second, why does the Torah (תורה) need a special pasuk ("ein kesef") to teach that an aylonis goes out at age twenty? If the father no longer owns her at that stage, he obviously cannot sell her beyond that point. The shiur introduces a fundamental machloket between Rav and Shmuel regarding when bagrus takes effect for an aylonis. Shmuel holds that when she becomes a bogeres at twenty, she is acquired to the master from that point forward (mikaneh lechaba). Rav holds that her bagrus works retroactively (lamafrea)—but to which age? Rishonim disagree. The Raavad says lamafrea to age 17 (when simanim aylonis first appeared). The Ramban (רמב"ן) says lamafrea to age 12½ (the normal age of bagrus). Rashi (רש"י) says lamafrea to age 12 (the age of gadlus). Each shitah carries profound implications.
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Kiddushin 4a
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