Halacha
הלכה א
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:
כסף משנה
1.
From the day of a girl's birth until she becomes twelve years old, she is called a k'tanah (minor) and/or a tinoket (baby). Even if several [pubic] hairs grow [on her body] during this time, they are [not significant according to Jewish law and are] considered to be merely hairs growing from a mole. If, however, two hairs grow in the pubic area after she becomes twelve years old [her status changes, and] she is considered a na'arah (maiden).הלכה ב
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:
כסף משנה
2.
Growing two pubic hairs at this age is referred to as the lower sign [of physical maturity]. Once a girl manifests this sign [of physical maturity], she is referred to as a maiden for six months. From the last day of these six months and onward, she is referred to as a bogeret (mature woman). The difference between the stages of maidenhood and maturity is only six months.הלכה ג
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:
כסף משנה
3.
From the time a girl reaches the age of twelve years and one day1The intent in this halachah, and similarly, whenever the term "...years old and one day" is mentioned, is not that an additional day must pass after the woman's twelfth birthday. Rather, the intent is that she has completed twelve complete years of life and begun the following day. until the age of twenty, if she does not grow two pubic hairs, she is still considered to be a child, even if she manifests the physical signs of barrenness.If [during this period], she grows two pubic hairs, even if [this occurs] in her twentieth year, she is considered to be a maiden for six months. Only afterwards is she considered to be a mature woman.
הלכה ד
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:
כסף משנה
4.
Should a woman be less than thirty days below the age of twenty, not have grown two pubic hairs, and have manifested [all] the physical signs of barrenness,2The Tur (Even HaEzer) differs with the Rambam on two points: a) the girl need only be 19 and one month, not 19 and eleven months (Chapter 155) and b) that she need manifest only one, but not all signs of barrenness (Chapter 44, 172).With regard to the first issue, the Shulchan Aruch appears to favor the Tur's view, although that of the Rambam is also mentioned. With regard to the second issue, the Shulchan Aruch appears to follow the Rambam's view, while the Ramah cites that of the Tur. she is deemed an aylonit (a barren woman).
If she does not manifest all the sign of barrenness, she is still considered to be a child until she grows two pubic hairs or until she reaches the age of 35 years and one day.
הלכה ה
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:
כסף משנה
5.
Should a woman reach this age without growing two pubic hairs, she is deemed barren even though she does not manifest physical signs of barrenness. A barren woman does not [go through the six-month] period of maidenhood. Instead, directly after having been considered a child, she is considered to be a mature woman.הלכה ו
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:
כסף משנה
6.
The following are the physical signs of barrenness: a) she lacks [protruding] breasts; b) she stiffens during sexual relations; c) her lower abdomen does not resemble a woman's, d) her voice is deep and cannot be differentiated from that of a man.All three, a maiden, a mature woman and a barren woman, are referred to by the term gedolah [adult woman]. [Unlike children, they are held responsible for their conduct.]
הלכה ז
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:
כסף משנה
7.
[In addition to growing pubic hairs,] a woman has signs of physical maturity that are manifest in her upper body. They are referred to as "upper signs." Among them are:a) when the woman stretches her hand backward, a crease forms in the place of her breast; b) the color of the tip of the breast becomes darker; c) when a person places his hand on the end of the breast and it remains depressed slightly before rising; d) creases form at the end of the breast, and a nipple takes shape; my teachers taught that the formation of creases is sufficient; e) the breasts protrude; f) they become erect; g) the mound of Venus forms above the woman's genitals, below her stomach; h) the flesh of this mound becomes soft and not hard. These are eight signs.
הלכה ח
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:
כסף משנה
8.
If one or even all of these signs of maturity appear in a woman before she becomes twelve years of age, no attention is paid to it. When she becomes twelve years old and one day, and she manifests the lower sign of physical maturity, no attention is paid to [the presence or lack of] these [upper] signs of physical maturity [and she is considered to be a maiden].If she does not manifest the lower sign of physical maturity, but she does manifest one of these [upper] signs, there is doubt whether she should be considered a child or a maiden, and the more stringent perspective is followed [with regard to all halachic questions] concerning her. If she manifests all these [upper] signs, she is definitely considered to be an adult. For it is impossible for her to manifest all these signs [and yet not have had two pubic hairs grow]. We assume these hairs have grown, but they have dropped off.
הלכה ט
הַבַּת שֶׁיָּלְדָה אַחַר שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה סִימָנִים לֹא תַּחְתּוֹן וְלֹא עֶלְיוֹן הֲרֵי זוֹ גְּדוֹלָה. בָּנִים הֲרֵי הֵם כְּסִימָנִין:
כסף משנה
9.
When a woman gives birth after reaching the age of twelve years, she is deemed an adult, even though she did not manifest either upper or lower signs of maturity. [Giving birth to] children is a sign of maturity.הלכה י
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:
כסף משנה
10.
A male, from birth until the age of thirteen, is called a katan (minor) and/or a tinok (baby). Even if several [pubic] hairs grow [on his body] during this time, they are [not significant according to Jewish law] and are considered to be merely hairs growing from a mole. If, however, two hairs grow in the pubic area after he attains the age of thirteen years and one day, [his status changes, and] he is considered a gadol (adult male) and/or an ish (man).הלכה יא
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:
כסף משנה
11.
Should a child reach this age without growing two pubic hairs, he is still considered a minor until he reaches the age of twenty years less thirty days, even though he manifests signs of impotency. Should he reach the age [of twenty years less thirty days] and not have grown either pubic hairs or hairs of the beard [the following rules apply]. If he manifests one of the physical signs of impotency, he is considered impotent (a saris), and he is considered to be an adult with regard to all matters.If he does not manifest any of the signs of impotency, he is still considered to be a minor until he grows two pubic hairs or until he reaches the age of thirty five years and one day.
הלכה יב
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:
כסף משנה
12.
If he reaches this age, he is considered impotent, although he did not manifest any of the signs of impotency. If he reached the age of twenty years less thirty days without growing two pubic hairs, but did grow two hairs on his beard, he is not considered to be impotent, even if he manifests one sign of impotency, until he either manifests all the signs of impotency or reaches the age of thirty five years and one day.הלכה יג
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:
כסף משנה
13.
These are the signs of impotency: a) One lacks a beard, b) his hair grows inadequately, c) his flesh is hairless, d) his urine does not produce vapor, e) his urine does not flow in an arc, f) his semen is off color, g) his urine does not ferment, h) when he washes in the winter, his flesh does not produce steam, and i) his voice is high pitched and cannot be differentiated from that of a woman.הלכה יד
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:
כסף משנה
14.
An impotent person of this type is referred to as a s'ris chamah [one who became impotent because of fever].3Our translation follows the interpretation of the Shulchan Aruch. Yevamot 80a interprets this as meaning, "one who never saw the light of the sun while fit." When, however, the genitals of a male have been cut, severed or crushed, as the gentiles do, the person is called a s'ris adam [one who became impotent as a result of human activity]. When such a person reaches the age of thirteen and one day, he is considered to be an adult, for he will never manifest signs of maturity.הלכה טו
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:
כסף משנה
15.
When a male reaches the age of thirteen and one day and does not grow any pubic hairs, but manifests the upper signs of physical maturity,4I.e., he grows hairs of the beard and in his underarms; his voice changes; his hair grows adequately; and his flesh is not silky (Ma'aseh Rokeach). doubt exists whether he is considered to be an adult or a minor. If, however, his pubic area was not inspected, but he manifests signs of physical maturity in his upper body, he is presumed to be an adult.הלכה טז
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:
כסף משנה
16.
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.
הלכה יז
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:
כסף משנה
17.
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.
הלכה יח
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:
כסף משנה
18.
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.הלכה יט
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:
כסף משנה
19.
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.הלכה כ
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:
כסף משנה
20.
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].5Although the testimony of women is not generally accepted in court, an exception is made in this instance because of modesty. The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 155:15) quotes the Rambam's wording. Nevertheless, the Beit Shmuel 155:23 states that a woman's testimony can be accepted only with regard to making a more stringent ruling, but not a more lenient one.הלכה כא
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:
כסף משנה
21.
Whenever the term "years" is mentioned with regard to [the age of] a male or a female, endowment evaluations,6See Leviticus, Chapter 27. 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.הלכה כב
אֵין סוֹמְכִין עַל הַנָּשִׁים בְּמִנְיַן הַשָּׁנִים וְלֹא עַל הַקְּרוֹבִים אֶלָּא עַל פִּי שְׁנַיִם אֲנָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים לְהָעִיד:
כסף משנה
22.
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.הלכה כג
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:
כסף משנה
23.
When a father says, "My son is nine years and one day old," or "My daughter is three years and one day old,"7If a male is less than nine years old, or a female is less than three years old, they are not fit to engage in sexual relations. Even if they do, in fact, engage in relations, these are of no halachic significance. Hence, if a boy above the age of nine engages in sexual relations with a married woman, the woman is liable. Similarly, if a man engaged in relations with a three-year old girl who was married, the man is liable. 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],8See Leviticus, Chapter 27; Hilchot Arachin 6:1. or the consecration of property, but not with regard to administering lashes or other punishments.
הלכה כד
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:
כסף משנה
24.
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.הלכה כה
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:
כסף משנה
25.
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.9The Ra'avad objects to the Rambam's ruling, stating that it is necessary for these individuals to manifest physical signs of maturity before they are classified as adults. The Maggid Mishneh states that it appears that the Rambam is saying that there is no need for these individuals to manifest such signs. Needless to say, at the age of twelve these individuals are not considered to be adults with regard to the mitzvot incumbent upon males. Whenever these terms are mentioned, the intent is individuals of this age.
הלכה כו
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:
כסף משנה
26.
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.10Because a deaf mute's ability to communicate and respond is so limited, such a person is considered to be mentally incompetent and is not held responsible for his conduct, nor is he able to enter into a marriage contract, according to Scriptural law. 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.הלכה כז
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:
כסף משנה