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Can a woman claim her kesuba when her husband alleges pesach (פסח) pesucha (lack of virginity)? The shiur examines Tosafos (תוספות)'s sfeik sfeika argument: maybe he's not expert in recognizing virginity, and even if he is expert, maybe it was rape. Tosafos Yom Tov challenges whether this constitutes a proper sfeik sfeika.
This shiur analyzes a complex Gemara (גמרא) in Kesubos 9b dealing with a case where a husband claims his wife was not a virgin (pesach (פסח) pesucha) and seeks to reduce her kesuba payment. The central question is under what circumstances she can retain her full kesuba despite his claim. The Gemara explores whether this constitutes a case where she is forbidden to her husband (asur la'baal) or merely involves a mistaken transaction (mekach ta'us). Tosafos (תוספות) presents a sfeik sfeika (double doubt) argument to permit the woman to retain her kesuba: First, perhaps the husband is not expert (ein baki) in recognizing signs of virginity, and second, even if he is expert and she was indeed not a virgin, perhaps it occurred through rape (onas) rather than willful relations (ratzon). This double doubt should work in her favor.
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Kesubos 9b
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