Ketubot

An allowance for maintenance must be granted  to a married woman,  but Samuel ruled: No allowance may be granted  to a married woman.  Said Samuel: Abba  agrees with me [that no allowance is to be granted]  during the first three months,  because no man leaves his house empty. In a case where a report was received  that he  was dead there is no difference of opinion between them.  They only differ when no one heard that he  was dead. Rab ruled, 'An allowance for maintenance must be granted' since he  is under an obligation [to maintain her]; on what ground however, did Samuel rule, 'No allowance may be granted'? — R. Zebid replied: Because it might well be assumed that he handed over to her some bundles [of valuables].  R. Papa replied: We must take into consideration the possibility that he told her, 'Deduct [the proceeds of] your handiwork  for your maintenance'.  What is the practical difference between them?  — The practical difference between them is the case of a woman who is of age  but [the proceeds of whose handiwork] did not suffice [for her maintenance],  or a minor  [the proceeds of whose handiwork] is sufficient [for her maintenance]. We learned: IF A MAN WENT TO A COUNTRY BEYOND THE SEA AND HIS WIFE CLAIMED MAINTENANCE, HANAN RULED: SHE MUST TAKE AN OATH AT THE END BUT NOT AT THE BEGINNING. THE SONS OF THE HIGH PRIESTS, HOWEVER, DIFFERED FROM HIM AND RULED THAT SHE MUST TAKE AN OATH BOTH AT THE BEGINNING AND AT THE END. They thus  differ only in respect of the oath but [agree, do they not,] that maintenance must be given to her?  — Samuel explained [this to refer to a case] where a report had been received that [the absent husband] was dead. Come and hear: If [a husband] went to a country beyond the sea and his wife claimed maintenance she must, said the sons of the High Priests, take an oath,  Hanan said: She need not take an oath. If [the husband] came, however, and declared, 'I have provided for her maintenance'  he is believed.  Here also [it may be replied] is a case where a report was received that he was dead. But, did it not Say, 'If [the husband] came, however, and declared'?  [The meaning of the expression is,] If he came after the report had been received. Come and hear: If [a husband] went to a country beyond the sea, and his wife claimed maintenance, and he returned and said [to her], 'Deduct your handiwork for your maintenance', he is entitled [to withhold it]. If Beth din, however, granted the allowance before [he returned] their decision is valid.  Here also it is a case where a report that he had died was received. Come and hear: If [a husband] went to a country beyond the sea and his wife claimed maintenance, Beth din take possession of  his estate and provide food and clothing for his wife, but not for his sons and daughters or for anything else!  — R. Shesheth replied; [Here it is a case] where a husband maintained his wife at the hands of a trustee.  If so, [should not maintenance be granted to] one's sons and daughters also?  [It is a case] where [a husband] made provision for the maintenance of his wife  but not of his daughters. Whence this certainty?  — This, however, said R. Papa, [is the explanation: This is a case] where she heard from one witness that [her husband] had died. To her, since she could Marry on the evidence of one witness, we must also grant maintenance; to his sons and daughters, however, since they, even if they desired it, could not be allowed to take possession of his estate on the evidence of one witness, maintenance also may not be granted — What [is meant by] 'anything else'? R. Hisda replied: Cosmetics. R. Joseph replied: Charity. According to him who replied, 'Cosmetics' the ruling  would apply with even greater force to