Soncino English Talmud
Ketubot
Daf 45a
she is stoned at the door of her father's house, as if to say, 'See the plant that you have reared'. If witnesses came [to testify] against her in her father's house that she played the harlot in his house she is stoned at the entrance of the gate of the city. If having committed the offence she eventually attained adolescence she is condemned to strangulation. This then implies that wherever there occurred a change in one's person, one's mode of execution also must be changed. But is not this contradicted by the following: 'If a betrothed damsel played the harlot and [her husband] brought upon her an evil name after she had attained adolescence, he is neither to be flogged nor is he to pay the hundred sela', but she and the witnesses who testified falsely against her are hurried to the place of stoning'? 'She and the witnesses who testified falsely against her'! Can this be imagined? — But [this is the meaning:] 'She or her witnesses are hurried to the place of stoning'? — Raba replied: You speak [of the law relating to a husband] who brought up an evil name; but this law is different [from the others], because it is an anomaly. For, elsewhere, if a girl entered the bridal chamber, though no intercourse followed, she is condemned to strangulation if she committed adultery, but [a woman upon whom a husband] brought an evil name is condemned to Stoning. Said R. Huna the son of R. Joshua to Raba: Is it not possible that the All-Merciful created the anomaly only where no constitutional change had taken place, but where a constitutional change had occurred the All-Merciful has created no anomaly? — The fact however is, explained R. Nahman b. Isaac, [that the question whether a change in status] involves, or does not involve a change [in the penalty] is [a point in dispute between] Tannaim. For we have learned: If they committed a sin before they were appointed [to their respective offices] and [then] were appointed, they are regarded as laymen. R. Simeon ruled: If their sin came to their knowledge before they were appointed they are liable, but if after they were appointed they are exempt.