Stories from the Mikveh

Translated by Hillel Fendel

Two small stories on how keeping the family purity Halachos come with devotion.

A Woman who Relinquished Rights to her Ketuba

Sarah relinquished her rights (mechila) to her ketuba in order to encourage her husband, Reuven, to give her a get. Now she wants to back out of this step. Perhaps we should say that simple oral mechila without a kinyan is not effective when the creditor (i.e., the wife) still has a document (i.e., the ketuba) that states that the debtor owes her money.

Paying for Non-Kosher Wine

Reuven sold supposedly kosher wine on credit to Shimon, who had a retail business. Shimon sold it to several customers. Later on, it became clear based on witnesses and Reuven’s admission that it was stam yeinam (wine handled by non-Jews, which is Rabbinically forbidden). To what extent does Shimon have to pay Reuven for the wine that Shimon already sold? What should be the arrangement be between Shimon and the people whom he accidentally caused to drink non-kosher wine?

Modesty Distancing Dangers

(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:243)

Guidelines for the Shmitta Year

Concepts of Shmitta