Divorce Chapter 10

כָּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאָמַרְנוּ בְּחִבּוּר זֶה שֶׁהַגֵּט בָּטֵל אוֹ אֵינוֹ גֵּט אוֹ אֵינָהּ מְגֹרֶשֶׁת הֲרֵי זֶה גֵּט בָּטֵל מִן הַתּוֹרָה וַעֲדַיִן הִיא אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ גְּמוּרָה. וְאִם נִשֵּׂאת תֵּצֵא וְהַוָּלָד מַמְזֵר. וְאִם הָיָה בַּעְלָהּ כֹּהֵן לֹא נֶאֶסְרָה עָלָיו מִשּׁוּם גְּרוּשָׁה. חוּץ מִן הַמְגָרֵשׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאָמַר לָהּ הֲרֵי אַתְּ מְגֹרֶשֶׁת מִמֶּנִּי וְאֵין אַתְּ מֻתֶּרֶת לַכּל שֶׁאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין זֶה גֵּט הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה לִכְהֻנָּה מִדִּבְרֵיהֶן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כא ז) ״‎וְאִשָּׁה גְּרוּשָׁה מֵאִישָׁהּ״‎ אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אֲפִלּוּ לֹא נִתְגָּרְשָׁה אֶלָּא מֵאִישָׁהּ וְלֹא הֻתְּרָה לַכּל נֶאֶסְרָה לִכְהֻנָּה וְזֶהוּ רֵיחַ הַגֵּט שֶּׁפּוֹסֵל בִּכְהֻנָּה מִדִּבְרֵיהֶם:

Whenever in this text we have used the terms "the get is void," or "the divorce is not effective," the intent is that the get is void according to Scriptural law. The woman is married in the full sense of the term. If she remarries, she must leave [her second husband]; any child she bears him is illegitimate. If the husband [of a woman who receives such a get] is a priest, she is not forbidden to him as a divorced woman, with one exception: a person who divorces his wife and tells her: "You are divorced from me, but you are not permitted to marry anyone else." Although such a divorce is not binding, according to Rabbinic law such a woman is forbidden to marry a priest, as [implied by Leviticus 21:7]: "[They may not take] a woman divorced from her husband." Our Sages interpreted this to mean: "Even if she is divorced only from her husband and not permitted to marry any one else, she is forbidden to the priesthood. This is the "wisp of a get" that disqualifies [a woman] from [marrying a member of] the priesthood by Rabbinic decree.

וְכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁאָמַרְנוּ בְּחִבּוּר זֶה שֶׁהַגֵּט פָּסוּל הֲרֵי זֶה פָּסוּל מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים בִּלְבַד וְנִפְסְלָה בּוֹ מִן הַכְּהֻנָּה מִדִּבְרֵי תּוֹרָה. וְלֹא תִּנָּשֵׂא לְכַתְּחִלָּה וְאִם נִשֵּׂאת לֹא תֵּצֵא וְהַוָּלָד כָּשֵׁר. וְכוֹתְבִין לָהּ גֵּט אַחֵר כָּשֵׁר וְנוֹתְנִין לָהּ וְהִיא תַּחַת בַּעְלָהּ. וְאִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לִכְתֹּב אַחֵר וְהָיָה הַבַּעַל וָתִיק וְגֵרֵשׁ מֵעַצְמוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה מְשֻׁבָּח אִם אֵין לָהּ בָּנִים. אֲבָל אִם יֵשׁ לָהּ בָּנִים לֹא יוֹצִיא מִפְּנֵי פְּסוּל הַגֵּט שֶׁמָּא יוֹצִיא לַעַז עַל בָּנָיו:

Whenever, in this text, we have used the term "the get is unacceptable," the intent is that the get is unacceptable merely according to Rabbinic decree. Thus, according to Scriptural law, the woman is forbidden to the priesthood. A priori, she should not remarry. If, however, she has remarried, she need not leave [her second husband]. Children born [from her second marriage] are legitimate. A second get that is acceptable should be given to her, while she remains married to her [second] husband. Should it be impossible to have a second [get] composed, if her second husband is scrupulous and voluntarily divorces her this is praiseworthy, provided she has not borne [him] children. If, however, she has borne him children, he should not divorce her because of [our Sages'] disqualification of her get, lest this cause his sons' reputation to be sullied.

וְכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁאָמַרְנוּ בְּחִבּוּר זוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה סְפֵק גֵּרוּשִׁין אוֹ שֶׁהִיא סָפֵק מְגֹרֶשֶׁת לֹא תִּנָּשֵׂא וְאִם נִשֵּׂאת תֵּצֵא וְהַוָּלָד סְפֵק מַמְזֵר מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא סְפֵק עֶרְוָה. וְכֵן אִם גֵּרֵשׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ בְּגֵט פָּסוּל אוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה סָפֵק מְגֹרֶשֶׁת וְרָצָה לְהַחֲזִירָהּ הֲרֵי זוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת לְבַעְלָהּ. וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְחַדֵּשׁ הַנִּשּׂוּאִין וּלְבָרֵךְ שֶׁבַע בְּרָכוֹת וְלִכְתֹּב כְּתֻבָּה עַד שֶׁתִּתְגָּרֵשׁ גֵּרוּשִׁין גְּמוּרִין:

Whenever, in this text, we have used the term "the status of the divorce is in doubt," the woman should not remarry. If she has remarried, she must leave her second husband, and there is a doubt regarding the legimitacy of any children that she bears [her second husband], for her own status is in doubt, and she may be forbidden to engage in marital relations. If [a man] divorces his wife with an unacceptable get, or the status of [their] divorce is in doubt, and he desires to remarry her, she is permitted to her husband. He does not have to renew the marriage, recite the seven marriage blessings, or write her a new marriage contract, unless she has been divorced in a manner that is binding.

כָּל מִי שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת בְּגֵט בָּטֵל הֲרֵי זוֹ צְרִיכָה גֵּט מִבַּעַל שֵׁנִי מִדִּבְרֵיהֶן כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ יוֹצְאָה בְּלֹא גֵּט. וּצְרִיכָה גֵּט מִן הָרִאשׁוֹן לְהַתִּירָהּ לִשְׁאָר הָעָם. וְנֶאֶסְרָה עַל שְׁנֵיהֶם לְעוֹלָם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה בִּשְׁגָגָה. כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ הֶחֱזִיר זֶה גְּרוּשָׁתוֹ אַחַר שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת. וְאִם עָבַר אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵיהֶן וְהֶחֱזִירָהּ יוֹצִיא:

Our Sages ordained that whenever [a woman] who was given a get that is void remarries, she must be divorced by her second husband, lest people say: "A married woman has been allowed to remarry without [receiving] a get." And she must receive a [second] get from her first husband, so that she be permitted to marry anyone else. She is forbidden to remarry both her first and second husband forever. [This applies] even if she entered into marital relations [with her second husband] without knowing of the prohibition involved. [This prohibition was instituted] lest people say: "The man remarried his divorcee after she was married [to another man]." If one of the two transgressed and remarried her, he should be compelled to send her away.

וְכֵן הַדִּין בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁבָּאוּ עֵדִים שֶׁמֵּת בַּעְלָהּ וְנִשֵּׂאת וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּא בַּעְלָהּ בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה בַּעְלָהּ פִּקֵּחַ בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה חֵרֵשׁ בֵּין שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת לְפִקֵּחַ בֵּין שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת לְחֵרֵשׁ שֶׁאֵין קִדּוּשָׁיו קִדּוּשִׁין גְּמוּרִים תֵּצֵא מִשְּׁנֵיהֶם וּצְרִיכָה גֵּט מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה וְנֶאֶסְרָה עַל שְׁנֵיהֶם עוֹלָמִית:

A similar law applies when a woman remarries [after] witnesses testified that her [first] husband died, and later her first husband returns. [This applies] regardless of whether her [first] husband was a mentally sound individual or a deaf-mute, or whether she remarried a mentally sound person or a deaf-mute, who cannot establish a marriage bond in a complete sense. She must be divorced by both of them; both must give her a get, and she is forbidden to engage in marital relations with either of them again.

הֲרֵי שֶׁנִּתְקַדְּשָׁה וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּא בַּעְלָהּ אוֹ נִמְצָא הַגֵּט בָּטֵל הֲרֵי זוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת לְבַעְלָהּ וְאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה גֵּט מִשֵּׁנִי שֶׁאֵין קִדּוּשִׁין תּוֹפְסִין בַּעֲרָיוֹת. וְאֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין שֶׁמָּא יֹאמְרוּ אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ יוֹצְאָה בְּלֹא גֵּט כֵּיוָן שֶׁלֹּא נִשֵּׂאת יֹאמְרוּ תְּנַאי הָיָה בַּקִּדּוּשִׁין וְלֹא נִתְקַיֵּם:

If [after witnesses testified that a woman's husband died or that she was given a get], she was consecrated [but the marriage bond was not yet consummated], and then her first husband returned, or it was discovered that the get was void, she is permitted to her first husband. Nor must she be divorced by the second husband, for a marriage bond cannot be established with a woman who is forbidden because of a severe prohibition. [In this instance, we do not require a divorce out of fear that] someone say: "A married woman is being released without a get." Since the marriage was not consummated, the person will rationalize: "The consecration was made on condition, and that condition was not fulfilled."

הָאִשָּׁה שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת וְנִמְצָא הַגֵּט בָּטֵל. אוֹ בָּא בַּעְלָהּ אַחַר שֶׁשָּׁמְעָה שֶׁמֵּת. אֵין הַבַּעַל הָרִאשׁוֹן וְהַשֵּׁנִי זַכָּאִין לֹא בִּמְצִיאָתָהּ וְלֹא בְּמַעֲשֵׂי יָדֶיהָ וְלֹא בַּהֲפָרַת נְדָרֶיהָ. וְכָל פֵּרוֹת שֶׁאָכְלוּ שְׁנֵיהֶן אַחַר שֶׁנִּשֵּׂאת אֵין מוֹצִיאִין מֵהֶן. וְאֵין לָהּ כְּתֻבָּה וְלֹא תְּנַאי מִתְּנָאֵי כְּתֻבָּה וְלֹא מְזוֹנוֹת לֹא עַל זֶה וְלֹא עַל זֶה. וְאִם נָטְלָה מִזֶּה אוֹ מִזֶּה תַּחֲזִיר. וְכָל מַה שֶּׁבָּלָה אוֹ אָבַד מִנְּכָסֶיהָ וַאֲפִלּוּ מִנִּכְסֵי צֹאן בַּרְזֶל אֵין מוֹצִיאִין אוֹתָן לֹא מִזֶּה וְלֹא מִזֶּה. וְהַוָּלָד מִן הַשֵּׁנִי מַמְזֵר. וְאִם בָּא עָלֶיהָ הָרִאשׁוֹן קֹדֶם שֶׁגֵּרֵשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי הֲרֵי הַוָּלָד מַמְזֵר מִדִּבְרֵיהֶם. גֵּרְשָׁהּ הַשֵּׁנִי וְנָטְלָה מִמֶּנּוּ כְּתֻבָּה וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּא בַּעְלָהּ אוֹ נִמְצָא הַגֵּט בָּטֵל אֵין מוֹצִיאִין מִיָּדָהּ מַה שֶּׁנָּטְלָה לֹא מִן הַמְּזוֹנוֹת וְלֹא מִן הַכְּתֻבָּה:

[The following laws apply when] a woman married, and afterwards it was discovered that her get was void, or [it had been reported that her first husband died,] and he returned. Neither her first nor her second husband is entitled to an ownerless object that she discovers nor to the profits from her work. Neither can he annul her vows. None of the benefits that either of them received after she married [her second husband] should be expropriated from them. Neither of them is obligated to pay her the money due her by virtue of her marriage contract, nor to fulfill any of the stipulations of the marriage contract. Neither of them is required to pay for her sustenance. If she took [money or property for this purpose] from either of them, she must return it. Neither of them is held responsible for any of the property she brought to the marriage that became worn out or was lost, even nichsei tzon barzel. A child born to [the second husband] is illegitimate. If the first husband engages in relations with her before she is divorced by the second husband, a child born of this union is illegitimate by virtue of Rabbinic decree. If the second [husband] divorced her and she received the money due her by virtue of her marriage contract, and afterwards her [first] husband came or it was discovered that the divorce was void, we do not expropriate the money she received for her sustenance or by virtue of her marriage contract.

וְכֵן הַדִּין בְּאַחִין שֶׁקִּדֵּשׁ אֶחָד אִשָּׁה וְהָלַךְ אָחִיו וְשָׁמַע בּוֹ שֶׁמֵּת וְיִבֵּם אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּא תֵּצֵא מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה וּצְרִיכָה גֵּט מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה וְכָל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלּוּ בָּהּ. וְכֵן אִם קִדֵּשׁ אִשָּׁה וְהָלְכָה לִמְדִינָה אַחֶרֶת וְשָׁמַע שֶׁמֵּתָה וְנָשָׂא אֲחוֹתָהּ וְאַחַר כָּךְ נוֹדַע שֶׁלֹּא מֵתָה צְרִיכוֹת שְׁתֵּיהֶן מִמֶּנּוּ גֵּט וְכָל הַדְּרָכִים הָאֵלּוּ בָּהֶן:

Similar laws apply when one of two brothers consecrated a woman. The brother who consecrated the woman departed, and afterwards it was reported that he died. The other brother performed the rite of yibbum, marrying his brother's wife, and then the brother returned. The woman must be divorced by both husbands, receiving a get from both of them, and all the stringencies mentioned above apply to her. Similarly, if a man consecrated a woman, she journeyed to another country, the husband heard that she died and married her sister, and afterwards it was discovered that she had not died: he must divorce both women, and all the stringencies mentioned above apply to both of them.

אֲבָל אִם הָלְכָה אִשְׁתּוֹ הַנְּשׂוּאָה לִמְדִינָה אַחֶרֶת וְשָׁמַע בָּהּ שֶׁמֵּתָה וְנָשָׂא אֲחוֹתָהּ וְנִמְצֵאת אִשְׁתּוֹ קַיֶּמֶת אֵין אֲחוֹתָהּ צְרִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ גֵּט וְאִשְׁתּוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת. וְכֵן שְׁאָר הָעֲרָיוֹת שֶׁנְּשָׂאָן בְּחֶזְקַת הֶתֵּר וְנִמְצְאוּ עֶרְוָה אֵינָן צְרִיכוֹת גֵּט שֶׁאֵין קִדּוּשִׁין תּוֹפְסִין בַּעֲרָיוֹת:

[Different rules apply, however, if a man] married a woman who journeyed to another country, he heard that she died, he married her sister, and then it was discovered that his [first] wife was alive. The sister does not require a get, and his [first] wife is permitted to him. Similar laws apply with regard to other women forbidden by severe prohibitions who were married under the assumption that the marriage was permitted, and it is discovered that the prohibition still applied. They do not require a divorce, for a marriage bond cannot be established with a woman forbidden by such a severe prohibition.

וּמִפְּנֵי מָה הִצְרִיכוּ אֲחוֹת אֲרוּסָתוֹ גֵּט. שֶׁמָּא יֹאמְרוּ תְּנַאי הָיָה בָּאֵרוּסִין וְכַדָּת נָשָׂא אֲחוֹתָהּ. וְהוֹאִיל וְיָצְאָה אֲחוֹתָהּ בְּגֵט, אֲחוֹתָהּ שֶׁהִיא אֲרוּסָתוֹ הָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֲסוּרָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ נָשָׂא אֲחוֹת גְּרוּשָׁתוֹ:

Why did they require that the sister of the woman whom the man consecrated be given a get? Lest people say that the [first] kiddushin were given conditionally, [the condition was not fulfilled,] and thus the law would allow marriage to her sister. Since the [first] woman's sister was divorced with a get, she - i.e., the man's first arusah - is forbidden [to him], lest people think that he married his divorcee's sister.

כָּתַב הַסּוֹפֵר וְטָעָה וְנָתַן גֵּט לָאִישׁ וְשׁוֹבֵר לָאִשָּׁה. אוֹ שֶׁטָּעוּ הֵן וְנָטַל הַבַּעַל הַגֵּט וְנָטְלָה הִיא הַשּׁוֹבֵר וְכִמְדֻמֶּה לָהֶן שֶׁנִּתְגָּרְשָׁה וּלְאַחַר זְמַן הֲרֵי הַגֵּט יוֹצֵא מִתַּחַת יְדֵי הָאִישׁ. אִם לֹא נִשֵּׂאת הֲרֵי זוֹ אֵינָהּ מְגֹרֶשֶׁת וְנִתְגַּלָּה הַדָּבָר שֶׁעֲדַיִן לֹא נִתְגָּרְשָׁה וְיִתֵּן לָהּ הַגֵּט בְּפָנֵינוּ וְתִהְיֶה מְגֹרֶשֶׁת מִשְּׁעַת נְתִינָתוֹ. וְאִם נִשֵּׂאת וְאַחַר כָּךְ הוֹצִיא הַבַּעַל אֶת הַגֵּט וְאָמַר עֲדַיִן לֹא נִתְגָּרְשָׁה שֶׁהֲרֵי הַגֵּט בְּיָדִי וְלֹא הִגִּיעַ לְיָדָהּ אֵין שׁוֹמְעִין לוֹ לְאָסְרָהּ עַל בַּעְלָהּ. אֶלָּא הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּחֶזְקַת גְּרוּשָׁה וְנָפַל הַגֵּט מִיָּדָהּ וּמְצָאוֹ זֶה וַהֲרֵי בָּא לְאָסְרָהּ עַל הַבַּעַל הַשֵּׁנִי:

A scribe composed [a get], but erred and gave the get to the husband and the receipt [for the woman's marriage contract] to the woman, or the man and wife erred, and the husband took the get and the wife the receipt, and thus they thought they were divorced. [The following rules apply] if afterwards the get is discovered in the possession of the man. If the woman has not remarried, she is considered as if she has not been divorced; it [appears to] have been revealed that the divorce did not ever take place. The husband should give her the get in the presence [of witnesses], and the divorce takes effect from the time the get is given. If, however, she had [already] remarried, and afterwards the husband produces the get, claiming that she has not been divorced, for he is in possession of the get and it never reached her, we do not accept his claim. She is not forbidden to her [second] husband. Instead, we operate under the presumption that she has been divorced, the get fell from her hand and was found by [her first husband], who desires to cause her to be forbidden to her second husband.

הַמּוֹצִיא אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ מִשּׁוּם שֵׁם רַע אוֹ מִשּׁוּם שֶׁהִיא פְּרוּצָה בִּנְדָרִים אוֹמְרִין לוֹ הוֹדִיעָהּ שֶׁמִּפְּנֵי זֶה אַתָּה מוֹצִיאָהּ כְּדֵי לְיַסְּרָהּ וְדַע שֶׁאֵין אַתָּה מַחֲזִירָהּ לְעוֹלָם. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה הַמּוֹצִיא אֶת זוֹ לֹא יַחֲזִירָהּ לְעוֹלָם. גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא תִּנָּשֵׂא לְאַחֵר וְתַעֲשֶׂה תְּשׁוּבָה וְתִהְיֶה צְנוּעָה תַּחְתָּיו וְיֹאמַר הָרִאשׁוֹן אִלּוּ הָיִיתִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁכֵּן הוּא לֹא הָיִיתִי מְגָרְשָׁהּ וְנִמְצָא כִּמְגָרֵשׁ עַל תְּנַאי וְלֹא נִתְקַיֵּם שֶׁנִּמְצָא הַגֵּט בָּטֵל לְמַפְרֵעַ. לְפִיכָךְ אוֹמְרִים לוֹ גְּמֹר בְּלִבְּךָ לְגָרְשָׁהּ שֶׁאֵין זוֹ חוֹזֶרֶת לְךָ לְעוֹלָם. וְאִם עָבַר וְהֶחֱזִיר קֹדֶם שֶׁנִּתְקַדְּשָׁה לְאַחֵר לֹא יוֹצִיא:

When a person divorces his wife because of unsavory reports, or because she is indiscriminate with regard to vows, he is told: "Inform her that you are divorcing her to chastise her, and know that you will never be able to remarry her." Why is [a man forbidden] to remarry such a woman? This is a decree, [instituted] lest she marry another man, repent and live chastely with him. Her first [husband] may then say: "If I had known that this would be the case, I would not have divorced her." Thus, it resembles a divorce given on a condition that was not fulfilled, in which case, retroactively, the get would be void. Therefore, we tell him: "Make a firm resolve to divorce her, knowing that you will never remarry her." If, however, he transgresses and remarries her before she is consecrated to another man, he need not divorce her.

וְכֵן הַמּוֹצִיא אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ מִשּׁוּם אַיְלוֹנִית אוֹ מִשּׁוּם שֶׁרוֹאָה דָּם בְּכָל עֵת תַּשְׁמִישׁ הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יַחֲזִיר לְעוֹלָם. שֶׁמָּא תִּנָּשֵׂא לְאַחֵר וְתֵלֵד הָאַיְלוֹנִית וְתִתְרַפֵּא הַנִּדָּה וְיֹאמַר אִלּוּ הָיִיתִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁכֵּן הוּא לֹא הָיִיתִי מְגָרְשָׁהּ וְנִמְצָא הַגֵּט בָּטֵל וְהַבָּנִים מַמְזֵרִים. וְאִם עָבַר וְהֶחֱזִיר לֹא יוֹצִיא:

Similarly, if [a man] divorces his wife because she is an aylonit or because she always experiences menstrual bleeding in the midst of sexual relations, he should never remarry her. [This is a decree, instituted] lest she marry another man and have children if she was an aylonit, or her condition be healed if she suffered from menstrual bleeding. [Her first husband] may then say: "If I had known that this would be the case, I would not have divorced her." Thus, [it would appear] that her get is void and her children illegitimate. If, however, he transgresses and remarries her [before she is consecrated to another man], he need not divorce her.

שָׁלִיחַ שֶׁהֵבִיא גֵּט חוּצָה לָאָרֶץ וְאָמַר בְּפָנַי נִכְתַּב וּבְפָנַי נֶחְתַּם הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. שֶׁאָנוּ חוֹשְׁשִׁין שֶׁמָּא עֵינָיו נָתַן בָּהּ וּלְפִיכָךְ הֵעִיד לָהּ. וְכֵן הָעֵד הָאֶחָד שֶׁהֵעִיד לְאִשָּׁה שֶׁמֵּת בַּעְלָהּ וְנִשֵּׂאת עַל פִּיו הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. וְכֵן הֶחָכָם שֶׁאָסַר אֶת הָאִשָּׁה עַל בַּעְלָהּ בְּנֶדֶר הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. וְכֵן הַנִּטְעָן עַל הַשִּׁפְחָה וְנִשְׁתַּחְרְרָה עַל הַנָּכְרִית וְנִתְגַּיְּרָה הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. וְכֵן עַכּוּ״‎ם וְעֶבֶד הַבָּא עַל בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁחָזַר הָעַכּוּ״‎ם וְנִתְגַּיֵּר הָעֶבֶד וְנִשְׁתַּחְרֵר הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִשָּׂאֶנָּה. וְכֻלָּן אִם עָבְרוּ וְנָשְׂאוּ אֵין מוֹצִיאִין מִיָּדָם:

When an agent brings a get from the diaspora and says, "It was written and signed in my presence" [to validate the signatures to the get], he should not marry her. We fear that perhaps he was attracted to her and therefore testified on her behalf. [For this same reason,] when one witness testifies that a woman's husband died, and she [is given license to] marry on the basis of his testimony, he should not marry her. Similarly, a sage who ruled that a woman is forbidden to her husband because of a vow should not marry her. Similarly, when a man is reputed to have had relations with a maid-servant, and afterwards she was granted her freedom, or when [a man is reputed to have had relations] with a gentile woman, and afterwards she converted, he should not marry her. Similarly, if a gentile or a servant had relations with a Jewish woman, and afterwards the gentile converted or the servant was freed, he should not marry this woman. In all these instances, if a couple transgress and marry, they should not be forced to separate.

וְכֻלָּן שֶׁהָיוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים וּמֵתוּ נְשׁוֹתֵיהֶן אוֹ שֶׁנִּתְגָּרְשׁוּ וְהָיוּ הַנָּשִׁים הֵן שֶׁהִרְגִּילוּ אֶת בַּעֲלֵיהֶן לְגָרְשָׁם הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מֻתָּרוֹת לְהִנָּשֵׂא לָהֶן לְכַתְּחִלָּה. וְכֵן אִם הָלְכוּ נָשִׁים אֵלּוּ וְנִשְּׂאוּ לַאֲחֵרִים וְנִתְאַלְמְנוּ אוֹ נִתְגָּרְשׁוּ הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מֻתָּרוֹת לְהִנָּשֵׂא לָהֶן לְכַתְּחִלָּה:

In all the above instances, if these men had wives and their wives died, or they divorced their wives at their wives' initiative, they are permitted to marry [the women mentioned above]; there is no need for hesitation. Similarly if these women married other men and became widowed or were divorced, they are permitted to marry [the men mentioned above]; there is no need for hesitation.

וְכָל אַחַת מֵהֶן מֻתֶּרֶת לְהִנָּשֵׂא לְבֶן הָעֵד שֶׁהֵעִיד לָהּ. אוֹ לְבֶן הֶחָכָם שֶׁאֲסָרָהּ עַל בַּעְלָהּ. אוֹ לְבֶן הַנִּטְעָן עָלֶיהָ אוֹ לִשְׁאָר קְרוֹבִין. שֶׁאֵין אָדָם חוֹטֵא כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּהָנֶה אַחֵר. וּמֻתֶּרֶת הָאִשָּׁה לְהִנָּשֵׂא לְאֶחָד מֵעֵדֵי גֵּרוּשֶׁיהָ אוֹ מֵעֵדֵי מֵאוּנֶיהָ. אוֹ לְאֶחָד מִן הַדַּיָּנִים שֶׁחָלְצָה בִּפְנֵיהֶם. שֶׁאֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין אֶלָּא לְעֵדוּת אֶחָד. וּלְעוֹלָם יִתְרַחֵק אָדָם מֵעֵדוּת מֵאוּן וְיִתְקָרֵב לַחֲלִיצָה:

All these women are permitted to marry [any relatives of the men involved]. [A woman may marry] the son of the witness who testified on her behalf, the son of the sage who declared that she was forbidden to her husband, the son of the man with whom she was reputed to have had relations, or any other relative of theirs. [The rationale for this leniency is that] a person will not commit a sin so that another person will benefit. A woman is permitted to marry one of [the two witnesses] to her divorce or to her mi'un, or to marry one of the judges in whose presence she performed the rite of chalitzah. Our suspicions are aroused only when [the woman's license to marry depends on] the testimony of one witness. A person should always shy away from serving as a witness to mi'un, and make himself available [as a witness to enable] the rite of chalitzah [to be performed].

הַמְגָרֵשׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ וְחָזַר וּבְעָלָהּ בִּפְנֵי עֵדִים קֹדֶם שֶׁתִּנָּשֵׂא לְאַחֵר בֵּין שֶׁגֵּרְשָׁהּ מִן הַנִּשּׂוּאִין בֵּין מִן הָאֵרוּסִין הוֹאִיל וְאִשְׁתּוֹ הָיְתָה הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּחֶזְקַת שֶׁהֶחֱזִירָהּ וּלְשֵׁם קִדּוּשִׁין בָּעַל וְלֹא לְשֵׁם זְנוּת. וַאֲפִלּוּ רָאוּ אוֹתוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לָהּ מָעוֹת. שֶׁחֲזָקָה הִיא שֶׁאֵין אָדָם עוֹשֶׂה בְּעִילָתוֹ בְּאִשְׁתּוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת וַהֲרֵי בְּיָדוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ בְּעִילַת מִצְוָה. לְפִיכָךְ הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּחֶזְקַת מְקֻדֶּשֶׁת קִדּוּשֵׁי וַדַּאי וּצְרִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ גֵּט שֵׁנִי:

When a man divorces his wife and then engages in relations with her in the the presence of witnesses before she marries another man, we assume that since she was [originally] his wife, he remarried her and engaged in relations with the intent of consecrating her, and not as a licentious act. [The above rule applies] regardless of whether they were divorced after marriage, or only after consecration. And this applies even if we saw that he paid her money. For it is an accepted presumption that a person will not enter into sexual relations with his wife with a licentious intent, when he has the possibility of having these relations considered to be a mitzvah. For this reason, this woman is definitely considered to be consecrated, and requires a second divorce [in order to marry another man].

נִתְיַחֵד עִמָּהּ בִּפְנֵי עֵדִים וְהוּא שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵי הָעֵדִים כְּאֶחָד. אִם הָיְתָה מְגֹרֶשֶׁת מִן הַנִּשּׂוּאִין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לָהּ שֶׁמָּא נִבְעֲלָה וְהֵן הֵן עֵדֵי יִחוּד הֵן הֵן עֵדֵי בִּיאָה. שֶׁכָּל הַמְקַדֵּשׁ בְּבִיאָה אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לִבְעל בִּפְנֵי עֵדִים אֶלָּא יִתְיַחֵד בִּפְנֵיהֶן וְיִבְעל כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. לְפִיכָךְ צְרִיכָה גֵּט מִסָּפֵק וַהֲרֵי הִיא סָפֵק מְקֻדֶּשֶׁת. וְאִם הָיְתָה מְגֹרֶשֶׁת מִן הָאֵרוּסִין אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לָהּ שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵין לִבּוֹ גַּס בָּהּ:

[There is an extension to the above principle.] If a man entered into privacy with his divorcee in the presence of witnesses, the two witnesses observed [their conduct] simultaneously, and [the couple] had been married previously, we suspect that they engaged in sexual relations. The witnesses to their entrance into privacy are thus considered to be witnesses to sexual relations. For a person who consecrates his wife via sexual relations need not engage in relations in the presence of witnesses. [All that] is necessary that [the couple] enter into privacy in the presence of witnesses and engage in relations in privacy, as explained. Since [it is possible that the couple engaged in relations], the status of the woman is in doubt, because we suspect that she has been consecrated. Because of this suspicion, she requires a [second] get. If, however, the woman had merely been consecrated and was divorced [before she was married], we do not suspect [that they engaged in sexual relations], because they did not share such familiarity.

הוֹרוּ מִקְצָת הַגְּאוֹנִים שֶׁכָּל אִשָּׁה שֶׁתִּבָּעֵל בִּפְנֵי עֵדִים צְרִיכָה גֵּט. חֲזָקָה שֶׁאֵין אָדָם עוֹשֶׂה בְּעִילָתוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת. וְהִגְדִּילוּ וְהוֹסִיפוּ בְּדָבָר זֶה שֶׁעָלָה עַל דַּעְתָּם עַד שֶׁהוֹרוּ שֶׁמִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ בֶּן מִשִּׁפְחָתוֹ חוֹשְׁשִׁין לוֹ וְלֹא תִּתְיַבֵּם אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁמָּא שִׁחְרֵר שִׁפְחָתוֹ וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּא עָלֶיהָ. וְיֵשׁ מִי שֶׁהוֹרָה שֶׁוַּדַּאי שִׁחְרְרָהּ שֶׁאֵין אָדָם עוֹשֶׂה בְּעִילָתוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת. וְכָל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה רְחוֹקִים הֵם בְּעֵינַי עַד מְאֹד מִדַּרְכֵי הַהוֹרָאָה וְאֵין רָאוּי לִסְמֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶן. שֶׁלֹּא אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים חֲזָקָה זוֹ אֶלָּא בְּאִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁגֵּרְשָׁהּ בִּלְבַד אוֹ בִּמְקַדֵּשׁ עַל תְּנַאי וּבָעַל סְתָם שֶׁהֲרֵי אִשְׁתּוֹ הִיא וּבְאִשְׁתּוֹ הִיא שֶׁחֶזְקָתוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה בְּעִילַת זְנוּת עַד שֶׁיְּפָרֵשׁ שֶׁהִיא בְּעִילַת זְנוּת אוֹ יְפָרֵשׁ שֶׁעַל תְּנַאי הוּא בּוֹעֵל. אֲבָל בִּשְׁאָר הַנָּשִׁים הֲרֵי כָּל זוֹנָה בְּחֶזְקַת שֶׁבָּעַל לְשֵׁם זְנוּת עַד שֶׁיְּפָרֵשׁ כִּי הוּא לְשֵׁם קִדּוּשִׁין. וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר בְּשִׁפְחָה אוֹ כּוּתִית שֶׁאֵינָהּ בַּת קִדּוּשִׁין שֶׁאֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לָהֶן כְּלָל. וַהֲרֵי הַבֵּן מֵהֶן בְּחֶזְקַת כּוּתִי וְעֶבֶד עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע בְּוַדַּאי שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּחְרְרָה אִמּוֹ אוֹ נִתְגַּיְּרָה:

Some of the Geonim have taught that any woman with whom [a man] has had sex before witnesses requires a get, [because of] the presumption that a person will not have licentious sex. They extended this principle until it occurred to them to teach that when a person has a child with his maidservant, we take it into consideration and his wife cannot perform yibbum [should the man die childless], lest he had freed the maidservant and after that had sex with her. There are those who teach that [we can assume that] he certainly freed her, because a person will not have licentious sex. All of these rulings stray, in my opinion, from the paths of Torah and it is not appropriate to rely on them. The Sages only used this presumption with regard to [a man's] wife whom he had divorced or [a man] who married a woman conditionally and then had sex with her unconditionally. For indeed she is his wife [in these situations] and with regard to a man's wife we assume that he will not have licentious sex with her unless he explicitly states [that he intends to engage in] licentious sex or if he has sex with a condition. But for other women, [we do not rely on this presumption]. If [a man has sex with] a prostitute, [there is] a presumption that he had sex in the name of licentiousness until such a time as he makes explicit his intention to marry her. Needless to say [this applies with regard to] a maidservant or a non-Jewish woman, because she cannot be married [according to Jewish law] and we do not suspect at all [that he intends to marry her]. The son [that results] from [having sex with these women] is presumed to be a non-Jew or a slave until it is definitively known that his mother was freed or converted.

מִי שֶׁהֻחְזְקָה אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ בֵּין מִן הַנִּשּׂוּאִין בֵּין מִן הָאֵרוּסִין וְיָצָא שְׁמָהּ בָּעִיר מְגֹרֶשֶׁת. אֲפִלּוּ רֹב הָעִיר אוֹ כֻּלָּהּ מַעֲבִירִין הַקּוֹל שֶׁנִּתְגָּרְשָׁה אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לָהּ וַהֲרֵי הִיא בְּחֶזְקָתָהּ. אֲבָל אִם יָצָא שְׁמָהּ בָּעִיר מְקֻדֶּשֶׁת וְהֻחְזַק הַקּוֹל בְּבֵית דִּין שֶׁהֲרֵי הִיא מְקֻדֶּשֶׁת בְּסָפֵק כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ וְאַחַר כָּךְ יָצָא עָלֶיהָ קוֹל שֶׁנִּתְגָּרְשָׁה מֵאוֹתָן הַקִּדּוּשִׁין הַקּוֹל אֲסָרָהּ וְהַקּוֹל הִתִּירָהּ וַהֲרֵי זוֹ מְגֹרֶשֶׁת:

When it has been assumed that a woman is either married or consecrated, and a rumor is spread in [her] city that she has been divorced, [the rumor] is not given credence, and we continue to operate under the assumption [that there was no change in her status]. [This applies] even if the majority, or even the entire city spread this rumor. [Different rules apply, however, in the following instance.] A rumor was spread through the city that a woman was consecrated, and that rumor was reported in court, in which case we suspect that the woman was consecrated, as explained. Afterwards, a rumor was spread that she was divorced from those kiddushin; we consider her to be divorced. [Since] she was forbidden on the basis of a rumor, she is permitted on the basis of a rumor.

לֹא יִשָּׂא אָדָם אִשָּׁה וְדַעְתּוֹ לְגָרְשָׁהּ. וְלֹא תִּהְיֶה יוֹשֶׁבֶת תַּחְתָּיו וּמְשַׁמַּשְׁתּוֹ וְדַעְתּוֹ לְגָרְשָׁהּ. וְלֹא יְגָרֵשׁ אָדָם אִשְׁתּוֹ רִאשׁוֹנָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן מָצָא בָּהּ עֶרְוַת דָּבָר שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים כד א) ״‎כִּי מָצָא בָהּ עֶרְוַת דָּבָר״‎ וְגוֹ'. וְאֵין רָאוּי לוֹ לְמַהֵר לְשַׁלֵּחַ אִשְׁתּוֹ רִאשׁוֹנָה. אֲבָל שְׁנִיָּה אִם שְׂנֵאָהּ יְשַׁלְּחֶנָּה:

[A man] should not marry a woman if he intends to divorce her. Nor should he maintain her as a wife and live with her, if he intends to divorce her. A man should not divorce his first wife unless he discovers an incident of sexual misconduct,, as [Deuteronomy 24:1] states: "When he finds evidence of sexual misconduct...." One should not hurry to divorce one's first wife. With regard to a second wife, by contrast, if one hates her, one may send her away.

אִשָּׁה רָעָה בְּדֵעוֹתֶיהָ וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ צְנוּעָה כִּבְנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הַכְּשֵׁרוֹת מִצְוָה לְגָרְשָׁהּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי כב י) ״‎גָּרֵשׁ לֵץ וְיֵצֵא מָדוֹן״‎. וְאִשָּׁה שֶׁנִּתְגָּרְשָׁה מִשּׁוּם פְּרִיצוּת אֵין רָאוּי לְאָדָם כָּשֵׁר שֶׁיִּשָּׂאֶנָּה. שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ זֶה הוֹצִיא רְשָׁעָה מִבֵּיתוֹ וְזֶה מַכְנִיסָהּ:

It is a mitzvah to divorce a woman who possesses unsavory character traits and does not conduct herself modestly, as is the practice of proper daughters of Israel, as [implied by Proverbs 22:10]: "Drive away the scoffer, and contention will depart." When a woman has been divorced for loose moral conduct, it is not fitting for a proper man to marry her, lest people say: "This one sent away this wicked woman, and this one brought her home."

מִי שֶׁנִּתְחָרְשָׁה אִשְׁתּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה מְגָרְשָׁהּ בְּגֵט וְתִהְיֶה מְגֹרֶשֶׁת. אֲבָל אִם נִשְׁתַּטֵּית אֵינוֹ מוֹצִיאָהּ עַד שֶׁתַּבְרִיא. וְדָבָר זֶה תַּקָּנַת חֲכָמִים הוּא כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא הֶפְקֵר לִפְרוּצִין שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לִשְׁמֹר עַצְמָהּ. לְפִיכָךְ מַנִּיחָהּ וְנוֹשֵׂא אַחֶרֶת וּמַאֲכִילָהּ וּמַשְׁקָהּ מִשֶּׁלָּהּ. וְאֵין מְחַיְּבִין אוֹתוֹ בִּשְׁאֵר כְּסוּת וְעוֹנָה שֶׁאֵין כֹּחַ בְּבֶן דַּעַת לָדוּר עִם הַשּׁוֹטִים בְּבַיִת אֶחָד. וְאֵינוֹ חַיָּב לְרַפְּאוֹתָהּ וְלֹא לִפְדּוֹתָהּ. וְאִם גֵּרְשָׁהּ הֲרֵי זוֹ מְגֹרֶשֶׁת וּמוֹצִיאָהּ מִבֵּיתוֹ וְאֵינוֹ חַיָּב לַחֲזֹר וּלְהִטָּפֵל בָּהּ:

When a man's wife becomes a deaf-mute, he may divorce her, [by giving her] a get, and the divorce is effective. If, however, [his wife] loses control of her mental or emotional faculties, he may not divorce her until she regains stability. This is a prescript ordained by our Sages so that she will not [be divorced and left] unattended, [and be violated] by immoral people, for she is unable to care for herself. Therefore, [her husband] should provide a place for her, provide her with food and drink from her own resources, and marry another woman. He is not obligated to provide her with her sustenance, garments and conjugal rights. [For although our Sages compelled the husband to remain married to such a woman, they did not compel him to live with her as man and wife,] because a mentally sound individual cannot endure living with a mentally incapable person in one dwelling. [The husband] is not obligated to provide her with medical treatment, nor to redeem her if she is taken captive. If he divorces her, the divorce is binding. He should remove her from his home, and he is not obligated to care for her.