25. Virginity - Naarah Besulah
If a man seduces a virgin he should marry her; if they
do not want to marry he pays a fine equal to her marriage
contract, as it says "And if a man seduces a virgin... he
shall pay a dowry [for her] to be his wife; if her father
refuses to give her to him he shall pay money equal to
the dowry of virgins".1 If a man rapes a virgin he must
pay the fine in any event and must marry her (unless she
does not want him) and can never divorce her (except for
cause), as it says "If a man finds a virgin and seizes her
and lies with her... he must give her father 50 pieces of
silver and she must become his wife... he cannot send her
away all his life".2,a
If a man falsely accuses his wife of not having been a
virgin he pays a double fine and can never divorce her
(except for cause) [as it says "If a man marries a woman...
and spreads a bad name about her and says `I took this
woman and came near her and did not find signs of virginity'...
they shall fine him 100 pieces of silver and give them to the
girl's father... and she shall be his wife; he cannot send
her away all his life"3].b The fines in all of
these cases apply only if the girl is of a certain age.c
Sources: |
| 1. Ex. 22:15-16 |
a. 1:1,3,5 |
| 2. Deut. 22:28-29 |
b. 3:1,4 |
| 3. Deut. 22:13-19 |
c. 1:9; 3:2 |
