Marriage Chapter 2

הַבַּת מִיּוֹם לֵדָתָהּ עַד שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בַּת י"ב שָׁנָה גְּמוּרוֹת הִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת קְטַנָּה וְנִקְרֵאת תִּינֹקֶת. וַאֲפִלּוּ הֵבִיאָה כַּמָּה שְׂעָרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן הַזֶּה אֵינָם אֶלָּא כְּשׁוּמָא. אֲבָל אִם הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה בַּגּוּף בַּמְּקוֹמוֹת הַיְדוּעוֹת לַהֲבָאַת שֵׂעָר וְהִיא מִבַּת י"ב שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וָמַעְלָה נִקְרֵאת נַעֲרָה:

A girl from the day of her birth until twelve complete years of age is called a minor and is [also] called a child. And even if she has grown several hairs within this time, they are merely like a mole. But if she has grown two hairs below on her body in places known for hair growth, and she is [at least] twelve years and one day old or more, she is called a young woman.

וַהֲבָאַת שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה נִקְרָא סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן. וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁתָּבִיא סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן תִּקָּרֵא נַעֲרָה עַד שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים גְּמוּרִים. וּמִתְּחִלַּת יוֹם תַּשְׁלוּם הַשִּׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים וָמַעְלָה תִּקָּרֵא בּוֹגֶרֶת. וְאֵין בֵּין נַעֲרוּת לְבַגְרוּת אֶלָּא שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים בִּלְבַד:

The growth of two hairs during this time is called the “lower sign”. After the appearance of the lower sign, she is called a young woman for the next six complete months. And from the day beginning the conclusion of [these] six months and afterwards, she is called a woman of age. The length of time between becoming a young woman and a woman of age is only six months.

הִגִּיעָה לְי"ב שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וְלֹא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּרְאוּ בָּהּ סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית עֲדַיִן קְטַנָּה הִיא עַד עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה. וּכְשֶׁתָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת אֲפִלּוּ בִּשְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים תִּהְיֶה נַעֲרָה שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים וְאַחַר כָּךְ תִּקָּרֵא בּוֹגֶרֶת:

Once she reaches twelve years and one day old and has not grown two hairs, even though signs of barrenness have appeared in her, she is still considered a minor until she is twenty years old. And from the time she grows two hairs, even during the twentieth year, she is called a young woman for the next six months. Afterwards, she is called a woman of age.

הָיְתָה בַּת עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה פָּחוֹת שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם וְלֹא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת וְנִרְאוּ בָּהּ (כָּל) סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית הֲרֵי הִיא אַיְלוֹנִית. וְאִם לֹא נִרְאוּ בָּהּ (כָּל) סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית עֲדַיִן קְטַנָּה הִיא עַד שֶׁתָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת אוֹ עַד שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בַּת ל"ה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד:

If she was twenty years old less thirty days and has not grown two hairs, and there has appeared in her (all) the signs of a barrenness, she is considered a barren woman. But if there has not appeared in her (all) the signs of barrenness, she is still considered a minor until she grows two hairs or until she is thirty-five years and one day old.

הִגִּיעָה לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה וְלֹא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת הֲרֵי זוֹ נִקְרֵאת אַיְלוֹנִית אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאֶה בָּהּ סִימָן מִסִּימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית. נִמְצֵאתָ אַתָּה לָמֵד שֶׁהָאַיְלוֹנִית אֵין לָהּ יְמֵי נַעֲרוּת אֶלָּא מִקַּטְנוּתָהּ תֵּצֵא לְבַגְרוּת:

If she has reached this age [of thirty-five] and has not grown two hairs, she is called a barren woman, even though there has not appeared in her a sign of barrenness. You may thus infer that a barren woman does not have any days of young-womanhood but rather, passes immediately from the status of a minor to that of a woman of age.

וְאֵלּוּ הֵן סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית. כָּל שֶׁאֵין לָהּ דָּדִין. וּמִתְקַשָּׁה בִּשְׁעַת תַּשְׁמִישׁ. וְאֵין לָהּ שִׁפּוּלֵי מֵעַיִם כְּנָשִׁים. וְקוֹלָהּ עָבֶה וְאֵינָהּ נִכֶּרֶת בֵּין אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה. וְהַנַּעֲרָה וְהַבּוֹגֶרֶת וְהָאַיְלוֹנִית כָּל אַחַת מִשְּׁלָשְׁתָּן נִקְרֵאת גְּדוֹלָה:

These are the signs of barrenness: if she does not have breasts, or feels pain during intercourse, or does not have a sloped abdomen as women do, or who has a deep voice that cannot be distinguished between a man or woman. A young woman, woman of age, and barren woman are each considered an adult.

וְיֵשׁ בְּבַת סִימָנִין מִלְּמַעְלָה וְהֵן הַנִּקְרָאִין סִימָן הָעֶלְיוֹן. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן. מִשֶּׁתַּחֲזִיר יָדֶיהָ לְאָחוֹרָהּ וְיֵעָשֶׂה קֶמֶט (בִּמְקוֹם הַדָּדִין). וּמִשֶּׁיַּשְׁחִיר רֹאשׁ הַדָּד. וּמִשֶּׁיִּתֵּן אָדָם יָדוֹ עַל עֹקֶץ הַדָּד וְהוּא שׁוֹקֵעַ וְשׁוֹהֶה לַחֲזֹר. וּמִשֶּׁיִּפָּצֵל רֹאשׁ חֹטֶם הַדָּד וְיֵעָשֶׂה בְּרֹאשׁוֹ כַּדּוּר קָטָן. וְרַבּוֹתַי פֵּרְשׁוּ מִשֶּׁיִּפָּצֵל הַחֹטֶם עַצְמוֹ. וְכֵן מִשֶּׁיִּטּוּ הַדָּדִין. וּמִשֶּׁיִּתְקַשְׁקְשׁוּ הַדָּדִין. וּמִשֶּׁתַּקִּיף הָעֲטָרָה שֶׁהוּא מְקוֹם הַבָּשָׂר הַתָּפוּחַ שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה מִן הָעֶרְוָה לְעֵמַּת הַבֶּטֶן. וּמִשֶּׁיִּתְמַעֵךְ הַבָּשָׂר הַזֶּה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה קָשֶׁה:

A girl may have certain signs in the upper [parts of her body] and these are called the “upper signs”. And they are: when she can stretch her hand behind her and a fold forms (near the breasts), or when the nipple darkens, or when one presses a hand on the nipple and it sinks and delays returning, or when the protrusion of the breast splits off and forms a small ball, whereas my Rabbis explained when the protrusion itself splits off, or when the breasts tilt away, or when the breasts [are large enough] to be shaken, or when the crown is formed, which is the fatty tissue above the genitals near the abdomen, or when this tissue softens and is no longer hard.

כָּל אֵלּוּ הַסִּימָנִין שְׁמוֹנָה. נִרְאֶה בַּבַּת סִימָן אֶחָד מִכָּל אֵלּוּ אוֹ כֻּלָּן וְהִיא בַּת י"ב שָׁנָה אוֹ פָּחוֹת אֵין מַשְׁגִּיחִין בּוֹ וַהֲרֵי הִיא קְטַנָּה. נַעֲשֵׂית בַּת י"ב שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וְנִרְאֶה בָּהּ סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן אֵין מַשְׁגִּיחִין בְּאֶחָד מִכָּל אֵלּוּ. וְאִם לֹא נִרְאֶה הַתַּחְתּוֹן וְנִרְאֶה בָּהּ אֶחָד מִכָּל אֵלּוּ הֲרֵי הִיא סָפֵק בֵּין נַעֲרָה לִקְטַנָּה וְדָנִים בָּהּ לְהַחֲמִיר. וְאִם נִרְאוּ כֻּלָּן [וְלֹא נִרְאֶה סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן] הֲרֵי זוֹ גְּדוֹלָה וַדָּאִית. שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁיָּבוֹאוּ כֻּלָּן אֶלָּא כְּבָר בָּא סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן וְנָשַׁר:

These [upper] signs are thus eight in number. If in a girl appeared one of these [upper] signs or all of them and she is twelve years old or less, we ignore them and she is [still] considered a minor. When she turns twelve years and one day old and there appeared in her a lower sign, then we ignore any of these [upper signs]. If there has not appeared in her a lower [sign] but there has appeared in her one of these [upper signs], then there is a doubt as to whether she is a considered a young woman or a minor and we judge her in a stringent manner. And if there has appeared in her all of these [upper signs] but no lower sign, then she is considered a definite adult, since it is impossible that all of the [upper signs] would appear unless the lower sign already appeared but fell off.

הַבַּת שֶׁיָּלְדָה אַחַר שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה סִימָנִים לֹא תַּחְתּוֹן וְלֹא עֶלְיוֹן הֲרֵי זוֹ גְּדוֹלָה. בָּנִים הֲרֵי הֵם כְּסִימָנִין:

A girl that gave birth after twelve years of age, even though she has not brought forth any signs whether lower or upper, is considered as an adult. Childbirth is considered like signs.

הַבֵּן מִשֶּׁיִּוָּלֵד עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה נִקְרָא קָטָן וְנִקְרָא תִּינוֹק וַאֲפִלּוּ הֵבִיא כַּמָּה שְׂעָרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן הַזֶּה אֵינוֹ סִימָן אֶלָּא שׁוּמָא. הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה בַּמְּקוֹמוֹת הַיְדוּעוֹת לְשֵׂעָר. וְהוּא מִבֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וָמַעְלָה נִקְרָא גָּדוֹל וְנִקְרָא אִישׁ:

A boy from birth until thirteen years of age is called a minor and is [also] called a child, and even if he has brought forth several hairs during this time, it is not a sign but a mole. Once he brings forth two hairs below in the places known for hair growth, and he is thirteen and one day old or more, then he is called an a adult and is [also] called a man.

הִגִּיעַ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּרְאוּ בּוֹ סִימָנֵי סָרִיס הֲרֵי הוּא קָטָן עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה פָּחוֹת שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם. הִגִּיעַ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בַּזָּקָן. אִם נִרְאֶה בּוֹ אֶחָד מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס הֲרֵי הוּא סָרִיס וְדִינוֹ דִּין הַגָּדוֹל לְכָל דָּבָר. וְאִם לֹא נִרְאֶה בּוֹ סִימָן מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס עֲדַיִן קָטָן הוּא עַד שֶׁיָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה בַּמָּקוֹם הָרָאוּי לָהֶן אוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן ל"ה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד:

If he has reached this age [thirteen and one day] but has not brought forth two hairs, even though there has appeared within him signs of impotence, he is considered a minor until twenty years less thirty days in age. When he has reached this time but has not brought forth two pubic hairs, nor has he brought forth two hairs in the beard, if there appears within him one of the signs of impotence, then he is considered an impotent man and has the status of an adult for all matters. But if there has not appeared within him signs of impotence, then he is still considered a minor until he brings forth two hairs below in the proper place or until he is thirty-five years and one day old.

הִגִּיעַ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה וְלֹא הֵבִיא הֲרֵי זֶה סָרִיס אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאֶה בּוֹ אֶחָד מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס. הִגִּיעַ לִשְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים פָּחוֹת שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה וְהֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בַּזָּקָן אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנּוֹלַד לוֹ אֶחָד מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס אֵינוֹ סָרִיס. אֶלָּא הֲרֵי הוּא בְּקַטְנוּתוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּוָּלְדוּ לוֹ כָּל סִימָנֵי סָרִיס אוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן ל"ה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד:

If he has reached this age [thirty-five and one day] but has not brought forth [two pubic hairs], he is considered an impotent man even though there has not appeared within him one of the signs of impotence. If he reaches twenty years less thirty days in age but has not brought brought forth two pubic hairs but has brought forth two hairs in the beard, then even if there has formed within him one of the signs of impotence, he is not considered an impotent man. Rather he is still considered a minor until there appears within him all the signs of impotence or if he reaches thirty-five and one day in age.

וְאֵלּוּ הֵן סִימָנֵי סָרִיס. כָּל שֶׁאֵין לוֹ זָקָן. וּשְׂעָרוֹ לָקוּי. וּבְשָׂרוֹ מַחֲלִיק. וְאֵין מֵימֵי רַגְלָיו מַעֲלִים רְתִיחָה. וּכְשֶׁמֵּטִיל מַיִם אֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה כִּפָּה. וְשִׁכְבַת זַרְעוֹ דִּיהָה. וְאֵין מֵימֵי רַגְלָיו מַחְמִיצִין. וְרוֹחֵץ בִּימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים וְאֵינוֹ מַעֲלֶה בְּשָׂרוֹ הֶבֶל. וְקוֹלוֹ לָקוּי וְאֵינוֹ נִכָּר בֵּין אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה:

These are the signs of impotence: any man who does not have a beard, or his hair is defective, or his skin is smooth, or his urine does not release foam, or when he urinates he does not make an arch, or his semen has a thin consistency, or his urine does not ferment, or when he washes in the rainy season his skin does not release steam, or his voice is defective and cannot be distinguished between a man or woman.

וְסָרִיס זֶה הוּא הַנִּקְרָא סְרִיס חַמָּה בְּכָל מָקוֹם. אֲבָל הַבֵּן שֶׁחָתְכוּ אוֹ נִתְּקוּ אוֹ מִעֲכוּ גִּידָיו אוֹ בֵּיצָיו כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָעַכּוּ"ם עוֹשִׂין הוּא הַנִּקְרָא סְרִיס אָדָם. וּכְשֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן י"ג שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד נִקְרָא גָּדוֹל שֶׁאֵין זֶה מֵבִיא סִימָן לְעוֹלָם:

This type of impotent man is called “impotent by the sun” in all places. But a boy whose member or testicles were severed or crushed, as is done by the idolaters, is called “impotent by man”. And when he turns thirteen years and one day old, he is considered an adult since he will never bring forth a sign.

בֶּן י"ג שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיא סִימָן שֶׁלְּמַטָּה וְנִרְאוּ בּוֹ כָּל הַסִּימָנִין שֶׁל מַעְלָה הֲרֵי זֶה סָפֵק בֵּין גָּדוֹל לְקָטָן. וְאִם לֹא נִבְדַּק מִלְּמַטָּה כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּרְאֶה בּוֹ סִימָנֵי בַּגְרוּת מִלְּמַעְלָה הֲרֵי זֶה בְּחֶזְקַת גָּדוֹל:

A thirteen year and one day old boy that has not brought forth a lower sign but there has appeared within him all the upper signs is in doubt between an adult and a minor. If he has not been checked for lower [signs], then once there appears within him upper signs of adulthood, he is considered an adult.

שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בְּבֵן וּבְבַת בְּכָל מָקוֹם שִׁעוּרָן כְּדֵי לָכֹף רֹאשָׁן לְעִקָּרָן. וּמִשֶּׁיִּצְמְחוּ וְיִהְיוּ יְכוֹלוֹת לְהִנָּטֵל בְּפִי הַזּוּג עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ לָכֹף רֹאשָׁן לְעִקָּרָן דָּנִין בָּהֶן לְהַחֲמִיר בְּכָל מָקוֹם. לְפִיכָךְ בְּבֵן וּבְבַת נַחְשֹׁב אוֹתָם גְּדוֹלִים לְהַחֲמִיר הוֹאִיל וְצָמְחוּ כְּדֵי לְהִנָּטֵל בְּפִי הַזּוּג. וְנַחְשֹׁב אוֹתָם קְטַנִּים לְהַחֲמִיר הוֹאִיל וְלֹא הִגִּיעוּ לָכֹף רֹאשָׁן לְעִקָּרָן:

Whenever the term "two pubic hairs" is mentioned with regard to a male or a female, the intent is that the hairs are long enough to be bent in half, with their point touching their base. If they grow to the extent that they can be cut by scissors, but are not [long enough] that they can be bent in half with their point touching their base, [there is doubt regarding the decision], and the more stringent ruling is always followed. Therefore, when a boy's or girl's pubic hairs have grown to the point that they can be cut by scissors, the individual is considered to be an adult with regard to those matters concerning which the ruling would be more stringent if he or she were so classified. And with regard to those matters concerning which the ruling would be more stringent if he [or she] were classified as a minor, the individual is so classified because the pubic hairs are not long enough to be bent in half with their point touching their base.

שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת אֵלּוּ צְרִיכוֹת שֶׁיִּהְיוּ בִּמְקוֹם הָעֶרְוָה. וּבֵית הָעֶרְוָה כֻּלּוֹ מְקוֹם סִימָנִין בֵּין לְמַעְלָה בֵּין לְמַטָּה בֵּין עַל אֵיבְרֵי הַזֶּרַע עַצְמָן. וּצְרִיכוֹת לִהְיוֹת בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד. וְשֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּעִקָּרָן גֻּמּוֹת. וַאֲפִלּוּ שְׁתֵּיהֶן בְּגֻמָּה אַחַת הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ סִימָן. נִמְצְאוּ שְׁתֵּי גֻּמּוֹת זוֹ בְּצַד זוֹ וְאֵין בָּהֶן שֵׂעָר הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ סִימָן. חֲזָקָה אֵין גֻּמָּא בְּלֹא שֵׂעָר וּשְׂעָרוֹת הָיוּ בָּהֶן וְנָשְׁרוּ:

These two hairs must be located in the pubic area. The entire pubic area is appropriate for the signs to be located. There is no difference whether they are located in the upper area, the lower area or on the sexual organ itself. The two hairs must be located in a single place, and there must be a follicle at their base. If both of them stem from the same follicle, it is acceptable. If two follicles are located next to each other without hairs growing from them, they are, nevertheless, considered a sign. We follow the presumption that a follicle will not exist without hair. [Surely,] there were hairs [that grew from the follicle], and they fell.

הַבַּת שֶׁהֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ י"ב שָׁנָה וְהַבֵּן שֶׁהֵבִיא בְּתוֹךְ י"ג שְׁנֵיהֶם שׁוּמָא כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאוֹתָן שְׂעָרוֹת בִּמְקוֹמָן הֵם עוֹמְדוֹת אַחַר י"ג לְזָכָר וְאַחַר י"ב לִנְקֵבָה אֵינָן סִימָן:

As we have explained, when a girl grows two pubic hairs before she is twelve, or a boy grows two pubic hairs before he is thirteen, they are considered to be merely hairs growing from a mole. Even if these hairs remain in their place after the boy reaches the age of thirteen, or the girl reaches the age of twelve, they are not considered signs of physical maturity.

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים כְּשֶׁנִּבְדְּקוּ בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן וְנוֹדַע שֶׁהֵן שׁוּמָא. אֲבָל אִם לֹא נִבְדְּקוּ אֶלָּא אַחַר זְמַן וְנִמְצְאוּ שָׁם שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת הֲרֵי הֵן בְּחֶזְקַת סִימָנִין. וְאֵין אוֹמְרִין שֶׁמָּא קֹדֶם זְמַן צָמְחוּ כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שׁוּמָא:

When does the above apply? When the child was inspected [before attaining the age of majority], and the hairs were deemed to be hairs growing from a mole. If, however, no such inspection was made until they reached the age of majority, and afterwards an inspection was made and two hairs were discovered, they are considered acceptable signs of physical maturity. We do not say that perhaps the hairs grew before the child reached majority, and they are merely hairs growing from a mole.

כְּשֶׁבּוֹדְקִין הַבַּת בֵּין בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן שֶׁהוּא כָּל שְׁנַת י"ב בֵּין קֹדֶם זְמַן זֶה בֵּין לְאַחַר הַזְּמַן בּוֹדְקִין עַל פִּי נָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרוֹת וְנֶאֱמָנוֹת. וַאֲפִלּוּ אִשָּׁה אַחַת בּוֹדֶקֶת וְשׁוֹמְעִין לָהּ אִם הֵבִיאָה וְאִם לֹא הֵבִיאָה:

Whenever a girl is inspected for [signs of physical maturity] - whether during her twelfth year, after she became twelve or when she is older - the inspection is carried out by trustworthy, ethical women. Even when an inspection has been conducted by one woman, her word is accepted with regard to whether or not [the girl has manifested signs of physical maturity].

כָּל הַשָּׁנִים הָאֲמוּרוֹת בְּבֵן וּבְבַת וּבְעֶרְכִין וּבְכָל מָקוֹם אֵינָן לֹא שְׁנֵי הַלְּבָנָה וְלֹא שְׁנֵי הַחַמָּה אֶלָּא שָׁנִים שֶׁל סֵדֶר הָעִבּוּר שֶׁהֵן פְּשׁוּטוֹת וּמְעֵבָּרוֹת עַל פִּי בֵּית דִּין כְּמוֹ שֶׁהֵם קוֹבְעִין אוֹתָן כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ בְּהִלְכוֹת קִדּוּשׁ הַחֹדֶשׁ. וּבְאוֹתָן הַשָּׁנִים מוֹנִין לְכָל דִּבְרֵי הַדָּת:

Whenever the term "years" is mentioned with regard to [the age of] a male or a female, endowment evaluations, or any other matter, the intent is not lunar years, nor solar years, but rather the years as reckoned by the Jewish court to [juxtapose the solar and lunar calendars], whether ordinary years or leap years, as established by the [Jewish] court, as explained in Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh. This is the intent whenever the subject of years is mentioned with regard to religious matters.

אֵין סוֹמְכִין עַל הַנָּשִׁים בְּמִנְיַן הַשָּׁנִים וְלֹא עַל הַקְּרוֹבִים אֶלָּא עַל פִּי שְׁנַיִם אֲנָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים לְהָעִיד:

We do not rely on the testimony of women regarding a child's age, nor on that of relatives. Instead, the matter is determined by the testimony of two men who are fit to testify in court.

הָאָב שֶׁאָמַר בְּנִי זֶה בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד. בִּתִּי זוֹ בַּת שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד נֶאֱמָן לְקָרְבָּן אֲבָל לֹא לְמַכּוֹת וְלֹא לָעֳנָשִׁים. בְּנִי זֶה בֶּן י"ג שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד בִּתִּי זוֹ בַּת י"ב שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד נֶאֱמָן לִנְדָרִים וּלְעֶרְכִין וְלַחֲרָמוֹת וּלְהֶקְדֵּשׁוֹת אֲבָל לֹא לְמַכּוֹת וְלֹא לָעֳנָשִׁים:

When a father says, "My son is nine years and one day old," or "My daughter is three years and one day old," his word is accepted with regard to the obligation of bringing a sacrifice [if sexual relations were carried out without knowledge of the sin involved], but not with regard to administering stripes [for rebellion] or other punishments. If the father says, "My son is thirteen years and one day old," or "My daughter is twelve years and one day old," his word is accepted with regard to vows, endowment evaluations, property forsworn [and transferred to the priests], or the consecration of property, but not with regard to administering lashes or other punishments.

מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֵיבַר זִכְרוּת וְאֵיבַר נְקֵבוּת הוּא הַנִּקְרָא אַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּס וְהוּא סָפֵק אִם זָכָר סָפֵק אִם נְקֵבָה. וְאֵין לוֹ סִימָן שֶׁיִּוָּדַע בּוֹ אִם הוּא זָכָר וַדַּאי אִם הִיא נְקֵבָה וַדָּאִית לְעוֹלָם:

A person who possesses both a male sexual organ and a female sexual organ is called an androgynous. There is doubt whether such a person should be classified as a male or as a female; there is no physical sign that can ever enable such a distinction to be made.

וְכָל מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ לֹא זִכְרוּת וְלֹא נְקֵבוּת אֶלָּא אָטוּם הוּא הַנִּקְרָא טֻמְטוּם וְגַם הוּא סָפֵק. וְאִם נִקְרַע הַטֻּמְטוּם וְנִמְצָא זָכָר הֲרֵי הוּא כְּזָכָר וַדַּאי. וְאִם נִמְצָא נְקֵבָה הֲרֵי הוּא נְקֵבָה. וְטֻמְטוּם וְאַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּס שֶׁהָיוּ בֶּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד הֲרֵי הֵן בְּחֶזְקַת גְּדוֹלִים וְהֵם שֶׁנְּדַבֵּר בָּהֶן בְּכָל מָקוֹם:

A person who possesses neither a male sexual organ nor a female sexual organ, but instead, his genital area is a solid mass, is called a tumtum. There is also doubt with regard [to this person's status]. If an operation is carried out and a male [organ is revealed], he is definitely considered to be a male. If a female [organ is revealed], she is definitely considered to be a female. When a tumtum or an androgynous reaches the age of twelve years and one day, they are assumed to be adults. Whenever these terms are mentioned, the intent is individuals of this age.

חֵרֵשׁ וְחֵרֶשֶׁת הָאֲמוּרִים בְּכָל מָקוֹם הֵן הָאִלְּמִים שֶׁאֵין שׁוֹמְעִין וְלֹא מְדַבְּרִים. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁמְּדַבֵּר וְאֵינוֹ שׁוֹמֵעַ אוֹ שׁוֹמֵעַ וְאֵינוֹ מְדַבֵּר הֲרֵי הוּא כְּכָל אָדָם. וְאִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה שֶׁהֵן שְׁלֵמִים בְּדַעְתָּן וְאֵינָן לֹא חֵרְשִׁים וְלֹא שׁוֹטִים נִקְרָאִין פִּקֵּחַ וּפִקַּחַת:

Whenever the terms cheresh and chereshet are used, they refer to a male or female deaf mute, respectively. If, however, a person can speak but cannot hear, or can hear but cannot speak, he is considered to be an ordinary person. A male or a female who is intellectually competent, being neither a deaf mute nor emotionally disturbed, is referred to as a pike'ach or a pikachat, respectively.

נִמְצְאוּ כָּל הַשֵּׁמוֹת שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ עִנְיָנָם בִּשְׁנֵי פְּרָקִים אֵלּוּ עֶשְׂרִים שֵׁמוֹת. וְאִלּוּ הֵן. קִדּוּשִׁין. עֶרְוָה. שְׁנִיָּה. אִסּוּרֵי לָאוִין. אִסּוּרֵי עֲשֵׂה. קְטַנָּה. נַעֲרָה. בּוֹגֶרֶת. אַיְלוֹנִית. גְּדוֹלָה. סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן. סִימָן הָעֶלְיוֹן. קָטָן. סְרִיס חַמָּה. סְרִיס אָדָם. גָּדוֹל. אַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּס. טֻמְטוּם. חֵרְשִׁים. פִּקְחִים. שִׂים כָּל הַשֵּׁמוֹת הָאֵלּוּ לְעֻמָּתְךָ תָּמִיד וְאַל יָלוֹזוּ מֵעֵינֶיךָ כָּל עִנְיְנֵיהֶם כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא נִהְיֶה צְרִיכִין לְבָאֵר כָּל שֵׁם מֵהֶן בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּזְכִּיר אוֹתוֹ:

We have thus defined twenty terms in these two chapters: kiddushin, ervah, sh'niyah, issurei lavin, issurei aseh, k'tanah, na'arah, bogeret, aylonit, gedolah, lower sign of maturity, upper sign of maturity, katan, s'ris chamah, s'ris adam, gadol, androgynous, tumtum, chershim, pik'chim. Keep these terms in mind at all times; do not forget their meaning, so that their intent will not have to be explained whenever they are mentioned.