1From 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).אהַבַּת, מִיּוֹם לֵידָתָהּ עַד שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה גְּמוּרוֹת - הִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת 'קְטַנָּה', וְנִקְרֵאת 'תִּינֹקֶת'. וְאַפִלּוּ הֵבִיאָה כַּמָּה שְׂעָרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן הַזֶּה, אֵינָן אֶלָא כְּשׁוּמָא. אֲבָל אִם הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה בַּגּוּף בַּמְּקוֹמוֹת הַיְּדוּעוֹת לַהֲבָאַת שֵׂעָר, וְהִיא מִבַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וָמַעְלָה - נִקְרֵאת 'נַעֲרָה'.
2Growing 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).בוַהֲבָאַת 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'.
The difference between the stages of maidenhood and maturity is only six months.וְאֵין בֵּין נַעְרוּת לְבַגְרוּת אֶלָא שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים בִּלְבָד.
3From the time a girl reaches the age of twelve years and one day1 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.גהִגִּיעָה לִשְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וְלֹא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּרְאוּ בָּהּ סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית - עֲדַיִן קְטַנָּה הִיא, עַד עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה. וּכְשֶׁתָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, אַפִלּוּ בִּשְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים - תִּהְיֶה נַעֲרָה שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים, וְאַחַר כָּךְ תִּקָּרֵא בּוֹגֶרֶת.
4Should 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,2 she is deemed an aylonit (a barren woman).דהָיְתָה בַּת עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה פָּחוֹת שְׁלוֹשִׁים יוֹם וְלֹא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, וְנִרְאוּ בָּהּ סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית - הֲרֵי הִיא אַיְלוֹנִית.
Mishneh Torah (Moznaim)
Featuring a modern English translation and a commentary that presents a digest of the centuries of Torah scholarship which have been devoted to the study of the Mishneh Torah by Maimonides.
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.וְאִם לֹא נִרְאוּ בָּהּ כָּל סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית, עֲדַיִן קְטַנָּה הִיא, עַד שֶׁתָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת וְתִהְיֶה נַעֲרָה, אוֹ עַד שֶׁתִּהְיֶה בַּת חָמֵשׁ וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד.
5Should 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.ההִגִּיעָה לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה, וְלֹא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת - הֲרֵי זוֹ נִקְרֵאת 'אַיְלוֹנִית', אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאָה בָּהּ סִימָן מִסִּימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית. נִמְצֵאתָ לָמֵד שֶׁהָאַיְלוֹנִית אֵין לָהּ יְמֵי נַעְרוּת, אֶלָא מִקַּטְנוּתָהּ תֵּצֵא לְבַגְרוּת.
6The following are the physical signs of barrenness: a) she lacks protruding breasts; b) she stiffens during marita 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.ווְאֵלּוּ הֵן סִימָנֵי אַיְלוֹנִית: כָּל שֶׁאֵין לָהּ דַּדִּין, וּמִתְקַשָּׁה בִּשְׁעַת תַּשְׁמִישׁ, וְאֵין לָהּ שִׁפּוֹלֵי מֵעַיִם כַּנָּשִׁים, וְקוֹלָהּ עָבֶה וְאֵינָהּ נִכֶּרֶת בֵּין אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה. וְהַנַּעֲרָה וְהַבּוֹגֶרֶת וְהָאַיְלוֹנִית - כָּל אַחַת מִשְּׁלָשְׁתָּן נִקְרֵאת 'גְּדוֹלָה'.
7In 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 the tip takes shape; my teachers taught that the formation of creases is sufficient; e) the breasts protrude; f) they become erect; g) A mound forms above the woman’s covered area, below her stomach; h) the flesh of this mound becomes soft and not hard. These are eight signs.זוְיֵשׁ בַּבַּת סִימָנִין מִלְמַעְלָה, וְהֵן הַנִקְרָאִין 'סִימָן הָעֶלְיוֹן'. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: מִשֶּׁתַּחְזִיר יָדָהּ לַאֲחוֹרֶיהָ וְיֵעָשֶׂה קֶמֶט בִּמְקוֹם הַדַּד; וּמִשֶּׁיַּשְׁחִיר רֹאשׁ הַדַּד; וּמִשֶּׁיִּתֵּן אָדָם יָדוֹ עַל עֹקֶץ הַדַּד, וְהוּא שׁוֹקֵעַ וְשׁוֹהֶה לַחְזֹר; וּמִשֶּׁיִּפָּצֵל רֹאשׁ חֹטֶם הַדַּד, וְיֵעָשֶׂה בְּרֹאשׁוֹ כַּדּוּר קָטָן. וְרַבּוֹתַי פֵּרְשׁוּ, מִשֶּׁיִּפָּצֵל הַחֹטֶם עַצְמוֹ. וְכֵן מִשֶּׁיִּטּוּ הַדַּדִּין; וּמִשֶּׁיִּתְקַשְׁקְשׁוּ הַדַּדִּין; וּמִשֶּׁתַּקִּיף הָעֲטָרָה, וְהוּא מְקוֹם הַבָּשָׂר הַתָּפוּחַ שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה מִן הָעֶרְוָה לְעֻמַּת הַבֶּטֶן; וּמִשֶּׁיִּתְמַעֵךְ בָּשָׂר זֶה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה קָשֶׁה. כָּל אֵלּוּ הַסִּימָנִין, שְׁמוֹנָה.
8If 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.חנִרְאָה בַּבַּת סִימָן מִכָּל אֵלּוּ אוֹ כֻּלָּן, וְהִיא בַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה אוֹ פָּחוֹת - אֵין מַשְׁגִּיחִין בּוֹ, וַהֲרֵי הִיא בְּקַטְנוּתָהּ.
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.נַעֲשֵׂית בַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד, וְנִרְאָה בָּהּ סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן - אֵין מַשְׁגִּיחִין בְּאֶחָד מִכָּל אֵלּוּ.
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.וְאִם לֹא נִרְאָה הַתַּחְתּוֹן, וְנִרְאָה בָּהּ אֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ - הֲרֵי הִיא סָפֵק בֵּין קְטַנָּה לְנַעֲרָה, וְדָנִים בָּהּ לְהַחְמִיר.
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.וְאִם נִרְאוּ כֻּלָּן, הֲרֵי זוֹ גְּדוֹלָה וַדָּאִית - שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁיָּבוֹאוּ כֻּלָּן, אֶלָא כְבָר בָּא סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן וְנָשַׁר.
9When 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.טהַבַּת שֶׁיָּלְדָה אַחַר שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה סִימָן, לֹא עֶלְיוֹן וְלֹא תַחְתּוֹן - הֲרֵי זוֹ גְּדוֹלָה. בָּנִים, הֲרֵי הֵם כְּסִימָנִין.
10A 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.יהַבֵּן, מִשֶּׁיִּוָּלֵד עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה - נִקְרָא 'קָטָן', וְנִקְרָא 'תִּינוֹק'. וְאַפִלּוּ הֵבִיא כַּמָּה שְׂעָרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ זְמַן זֶה - אֵינוֹ סִימָן, אֶלָא שׁוּמָא.
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).הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה בַּמְּקוֹמוֹת הַיְּדוּעִים לַשֵּׂעָר, וְהוּא מִבֶּן שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד וָמָעְלָה - נִקְרָא 'גָּדוֹל', וְנִקְרָא 'אִישׁ'.
11Should 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.יאהִגִּיעַ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּרְאוּ בּוֹ סִימָנֵי סָרִיס - הֲרֵי זֶה קָטָן, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה פָּחוֹת שְׁלוֹשִׁים יוֹם.
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.הִגִּיעַ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה, וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה, וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בַּזָּקָן: אִם נִרְאָה בּוֹ אֶחָד מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס - הֲרֵי זֶה סָרִיס, וְדִינוֹ דִּין הַגָּדוֹל לְכָל דָּבָר; וְאִם לֹא נִרְאָה בּוֹ סִימָן מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס - עֲדַיִן קָטָן הוּא, עַד שֶׁיָּבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה בְּמָקוֹם הָרָאוּי לָהֶן, אוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן חָמֵשׁ וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד.
12If 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.יבהִגִּיעַ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה וְלֹא הֵבִיא - הֲרֵי זֶה סָרִיס, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאָה בּוֹ אֶחָד מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס. הִגִּיעַ לִשְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים פָּחוֹת שְׁלוֹשִׁים יוֹם, וְלֹא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת לְמַטָּה, וְהֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בַּזָּקָן, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנֹּלַּד לוֹ אֶחָד מִסִּימָנֵי סָרִיס - אֵינוֹ סָרִיס; אֶלָא הֲרֵי הוּא בְּקַטְנוּתוֹ, עַד שֶׁיִּוָּלְדוּ לוֹ כָּל סִימָנֵי סָרִיס, אוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן חָמֵשׁ וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד.
13These 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 seed 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.יגוְאֵלּוּ הֵן סִימָנֵי סָרִיס: כָּל שֶׁאֵין לוֹ זָקָן, וּשְׂעָרוֹ לָקוּי, וּבְשָׂרוֹ מַחְלִיק, וְאֵין מֵימֵי רַגְלָיו מַעֲלִים רְתִיחָה, וּכְשֶׁמַּטִּיל מַיִם אֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה כִּיפָה, וְשִׁכְבַת זַרְעוֹ דֵּהָה, וְאֵין מֵימֵי רַגְלָיו מַחְמִיצִין, וְרוֹחֵץ בִּימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים וְאֵין בְּשָׂרוֹ מַעֲלֶה הֶבֶל, וְקוֹלוֹ לָקוּי וְאֵינוֹ נִכָּר בֵּין אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה.
14An impotent person of this type is referred to as a s’ris chamah one who became impotent because of fever.3 When, however, the male organ 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.ידוְסָרִיס זֶה הוּא הַנִּקְרָא 'סְרִיס חַמָּה' בְּכָל מָקוֹם. אֲבָל הַבֵּן שֶׁחָתְכוּ אוֹ נִתְּקוּ אוֹ מִעֲכוּ גִּידוֹ אוֹ בֵּיצָיו, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהַגּוֹיִים עוֹשִׂין - הוּא הַנִּקְרָא 'סְרִיס אָדָם'. וּכְשֶׁיִּהְיֶה בֶּן שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד - נִקְרָא 'גָּדוֹל', שֶׁאֵין זֶה מֵבִיא סִימָן לְעוֹלָם.
15When 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,4 doubt exists whether he is considered to be an adult or a minor.טובֶּן שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיא סִימָן לְמַטָּה, וְנִרְאוּ בּוֹ כָּל הַסִּימָנִין שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה - הֲרֵי זֶה סָפֵק בֵּין קָטָן לְגָדוֹל.
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.וְאִם לֹא נִבְדַּק מִלְּמַטָּה - כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּרְאוּ בּוֹ סִימָנֵי בַּגְרוּת מִלְמַעְלָה, הֲרֵי זֶה בְּחֶזְקַת גָּדוֹל.
16Whenever 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.טזשְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בְּבֵּן וּבַבַּת בְכָל מָקוֹם - שִׁעוּרָן כְּדֵי לָכֹף רֹאשָׁן לְעִיקָרָן.
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. וּמִשֶּׁיִּצְמְחוּ וְיִהְיוּ יְכוֹלוֹת לְהִנָּטֵל בְּפִי הַזּוּג, עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ לָכֹף רֹאשָׁן לְעִיקָרָן - דָּנִין בָּהֶן לְהַחְמִיר בְּכָל מָקוֹם.
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.לְפִיכָךְ בַּבֵּן וּבַבַּת נַחְשֹׁב אוֹתָם גְּדוֹלִים לְהַחְמִיר, הוֹאִיל וְצָמְחוּ כְּדֵי לְהִנָּטֵל בְּפִי הַזּוּג.
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.וְנַחְשֹׁב אוֹתָם קְטַנִּים לְהַחְמִיר, הוֹאִיל וְלֹא הִגִּיעוּ לָכֹף רֹאשָׁן לְעִיקָרָן.
17These 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 organ itself.יזשְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת אֵלּוּ צְרִיכוֹת שֶׁיִּהְיוּ בִּמְקוֹם הָעֶרְוָה. וּבֵית הָעֶרְוָה כֻּלּוֹ, מְקוֹם סִימָנִין, בֵּין לְמַעְלָה בֵּין לְמַטָּה, בֵּין עַל אֵבָרֵי הַזֶּרַע עַצְמָן.
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.וּצְרִיכוֹת לִהְיוֹת בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד, וְשֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּעִיקָרָן גֻּמּוֹת. וְאַפִלּוּ שְׁתֵּיהֶן בְּגֻמָּא אַחַת, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ סִימָן.
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.נִמְצְאוּ שְׁתֵּי גֻּמּוֹת זוֹ בְּצַד זוֹ, וְאֵין בָּהֶן שֵׂעָר - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ סִימָן; חֲזָקָה אֵין גֻמָּא בְּלֹא שֵׂעָר, וּשְׂעָרוֹת הָיוּ בָּהֶן וְנָשְׁרוּ.
18As 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.יחהַבַּת שֶׁהֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת בְּתוֹךְ שְׁנַת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה, וְהַבֵּן שֶׁהֵבִיא בְּתוֹךְ שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה, שֶׁהֵן שׁוּמָא כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ - אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַשְּׂעָרוֹת בִּמְקוֹמָן עוֹמְדוֹת אַחַר שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה לַזָּכָר, וְאַחַר שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה לַנְּקֵבָה, אֵינָן סִימָן.
19When 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.יטבַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בְּשֶׁנִּבְדְּקוּ בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן וְנוֹדַע שֶׁהֵן שׁוּמָא; אֲבָל אִם לֹא נִבְדְּקוּ אֶלָא אַחַר זְמַן, וְנִמְצְאוּ שָׁם שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת - הֲרֵי הֵן בְּחֶזְקַת סִימָנִין, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִין שֶׁמָּא קֹדֶם זְמַן צָמְחוּ כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שׁוּמָא.
20Whenever 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.ככְּשֶׁבּוֹדְקִין הַבַּת, בֵּין בְּתוֹךְ הַזְּמַן שֶׁהוּא כָּל שְׁנַת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה, בֵּין קֹדֶם זְמַן זֶה, בֵּין לְאַחֲרָיו - בּוֹדְקִין עַל פִּי נָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרוֹת וְנֶאֱמָנוֹת.
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.5וְאַפִלּוּ אִשָּׁה אַחַת בּוֹדֶקֶת, וְשׁוֹמְעִין מִמֶּנָּה אִם הֵבִיאָה אִם לֹא הֵבִיאָה.
21Whenever the term “years” is mentioned with regard to the age of a male or a female, endowment evaluations,6 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.כאכָּל הַשָּׁנִים הָאֲמוּרוֹת בַּבֵּן וּבַבַּת וּבַעֲרָכִין וּבְכָל מָקוֹם, אֵינָן לֹא שְׁנֵי הַלְּבָנָה וְלֹא שְׁנֵי הַחַמָּה - אֶלָא שָׁנִים שֶׁל סֵדֶר הָעִבּוּר, שֶׁהֵן פְּשׁוּטוֹת וּמְעֻבָּרוֹת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּית דִּין קוֹבְעִין אוֹתָן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ בְּהִלְכוֹת קִדּוּשׁ הַחֹדֶשׁ.
This is the intent whenever the subject of years is mentioned with regard to religious matters.וּבְאוֹתָן הַשָּׁנִים מוֹנִין לְכָל דִּבְרֵי הַדָּת.
22We 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.כבאֵין סוֹמְכִין עַל הַנָּשִׁים בְּמִנְיַן הַשָּׁנִים, וְלֹא עַל הַקְּרוֹבִים, אֶלָא עַל פִּי שְׁנֵי אַנָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים לְהָעִיד.
23When a father says, “My son is nine years and one day old,” or “My daughter is three years and one day old,”7 his word is accepted with regard to the obligation of bringing a sacrifice if marital relations were carried out without knowledge of the sin involved, but not with regard to administering stripes for rebellion or other punishments.כגהָאָב שֶׁאָמַר 'בְּנִי זֶה בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד', 'בִּתִּי זוֹ בַּת שָׁלוֹשׁ שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד' - נֶאֱמָן לַקָּרְבָּן, אֲבָל לֹא לַמַּכּוֹת וְלֹא לָעֹנְשִׁים.
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,8 or the consecration of property, but not with regard to administering lashes or other punishments.'בְּנִי זֶה בֶּן שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד', 'בִּתִּי זוֹ בַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד' - נֶאֱמָן לַנְּדָרִים וְלָעֲרָכִין וְלַחֲרָמִים וְלַהֶקְדֵּשׁוֹת, אֲבָל לֹא לַמַּכּוֹת וְלֹא לָעֹנְשִׁים.
24A person who possesses both a male organ and a female 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.כדמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֵיבַר זַכְרוּת וְאֵיבַר נַקְבוּת - הוּא הַנִּקְרָא 'אַנְדְּרֹגִּינוֹס', וְהוּא סָפֵק אִם זָכָר אִם נְקֵבָה, וְאֵין לוֹ סִימָן שֶׁיִּוָּדַע בּוֹ אִם הוּא זָכָר וַדַּאי אוֹ נְקֵבָה וַדָּאִית, לְעוֹלָם.
25A person who possesses neither a male organ nor a female organ, but instead, the 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.9 Whenever these terms are mentioned, the intent is individuals of this age.כהוּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ לֹא זַכְרוּת וְלֹא נַקְבוּת, אֶלָא אָטוּם - הוּא הַנִּקְרָא 'טֻמְטוּם', וְגַם הוּא סָפֵק. וְאִם נִקְרַע הַטֻמְטוּם וְנִמְצָא זָכָר, הֲרֵי הוּא כְּזָכָר וַדַּאי; וְאִם נִמְצָא נְקֵבָה, הֲרֵי הוּא נְקֵבָה. וְטֻמְטוּם וְאַנְדְּרֹגִּינוֹס שֶׁהָיוּ בֶּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד, הֲרֵי הֵן בְּחֶזְקַת גְּדוֹלִים. וְהֵם שֶׁנְּדַבֵּר בָּהֶן בְּכָל מָקוֹם.
26Whenever 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.10 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.כו'חֵרֵשׁ' וְ'חֵרֶשֶׁת' הָאֲמוּרִים בְּכָל מָקוֹם - הֵן הָאִלְּמִים שֶׁאֵין שׁוֹמְעִין וְאֵין 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' וּ'פִקַּחַת'.
27We have thus defined twenty terms in these two chapters: kiddushin, ervah, sh’niyah, issurei lavin, issurei aseh, k’tanah, na’arah, bogeret, aylonit, gedolah, lower sign of maturity, upper sign of maturity, katan, s’ris chamah, s’ris adam, gadol, androgynous, tumtum, chershim, pik’chim. כזנִמְצְאוּ כָּל הַשֵּׁמוֹת שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ עִנְיָנָם בִּשְׁנֵי פְּרָקִים אֵלּוּ, עֶשְׂרִים שֵׁמוֹת. וְאֵלוּ הֵן: קִדּוּשִׁין, עֶרְוָה, שְׁנִיָּה, אִסּוּרֵי לָאוִין, אִסּוּרֵי עֲשֵׂה, קְטַנָּה, נַעֲרָה, בּוֹגֶרֶת, אַיְלוֹנִית, גְּדוֹלָה, סִימָן הַתַּחְתּוֹן, סִימָן הָעֶלְיוֹן, קָטָן, סְרִיס חַמָּה, סְרִיס אָדָם, גָּדוֹל, אַנְדְּרֹגִּינוֹס, טֻמְטוּם, חֵרְשִׁים, פִּקְּחִים.
28Keep these terms in mind at all times; do not forget their meaning, so that their intent will not have to be explained whenever they are mentioned.כחשִׂים כָּל הַשֵּׁמוֹת הָאֵלּוּ לְעֻמָּתָךְ תָּמִיד, וְאַל יָלוּזוּ מֵעֵינֶיךָ כָּל עִנְיְנֵיהֶם, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא נִהְיֶה צְרִיכִין לְבָאֵר עִנְיַן כָּל שֵׁם מֵהֶן בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁנִּזְכֹּר אוֹתוֹ.
