Ketubot 88 - October 2, 7 Tishrei

Today's daf is sponsored by Heather Stone in loving memory of her mother, Ellie Stone, Esther Bina bat Avraham Halevy ve’Rachel Leah on her 11th yahrzeit. "She taught us by example to protect the Jewish community. May her neshama have an aliyah." Today's daf is sponsored by Debbie Pine and Mark Orenshein in loving memory of Florence Pine, Fayga bat Sarah Rivkah, on her 2nd yahrtzeit. "The memory of her warm smile and kind heart inspires us every day. May her neshama have an aliyah!" If a woman claims her ketuba and one witness testifies that she already received it, she needs to take an oath in order to receive her ketuba money. The Gemara had concluded that this oath is a rabbinic oath and not one required by Torah law. Rav Papa suggests how the husband can create a situation where the oath required will be one by Torah law (which is more strict and therefore better for the husband as the woman is less likely to lie). However, a difficulty is raised and another suggestion is put forward. Another difficulty is raised against the second suggestion and a third suggestion is brought. A Mishna from Shevuot 45a is quoted where it says that orphans also need to take an oath. The sages try to determine what is the case in which orphans need to take an oath. A woman can collect her ketuba from the husband's property, even if he is out of town, but she is required to take an oath. Is the law the same for a creditor? Should the law be more lenient for a woman on account of hina, so that women get married, or is the issue of ensuring that people loan money just as important and therefore the same would be true for a creditor? Rabbi Shimon in the Mishna distinguished between women collecting their ketuba who need to take an oath and women not collecting their ketuba who do not need to take an oath. Rabbi Yirnia, Rav Sheshet, Abaye, and Rav Papa each have different interpretations of Rabbi Shimon and on what issue he disagrees with the rabbis. Each opinion raises a difficulty with and rejects the previous one.