To: Ovum Committee
Subject: About Ketubot 10 b and medicine
Dear Mordechai Halperin
I read about the virginity test in ketubot 10b and wanted to know the emperic scientific plausibility of this working in reality
Firsty some women dont have a hymen when born therefore can get wrongly convicted – is this not so ?
Also hymen can break due to injuries prior to test therefore false positive result (if test works in a scientific sence rather that some sort of miracle providence)
Also cannot alcohol penetrate the inside vulva/delicate permeable internal walls of vagina and produce increased blood levels ?
What are your insights and views on this subject from a scientific perspective ?
Thanks for your help and insights on the subject in advance
(NB I am an Orthadox Jew and Scientist)
1. The concept “reicho nodef” appears elsewhere in the Talmud regarding someone who has eaten garlic.
לרב שלום, בט` באב יתכן ואהיה בע"ה בשבוע השני להריוני (ויתכן ולא). האם מסוכן לצום? האם מותר לצום? האם מותר לא לצום? תודה
בערב יוכ"פ ראיתי במקווה שלבן שלי עדיין אין שיער ערווה (והוא בן 16 וחודשיים – בתחילת כיתה י"א). שאלתי – האם זו בעיה רפואית כלשהי,
Is the wife of a male patient undergoing coronary by-pass surgery on the pump deemed top have been a widow for any period of time?