For the source text click/tap here: Ketubot 87
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Our daf asks: What is the purpose of mentioning the past? What oath would they have wanted a wife to take with regard to the past?
Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: It is referring to a woman who became a steward during her husband’s lifetime.
Rav Mattana said: Even concerning her actions between her husband’s death and his burial, they cannot administer an oath to her, as the Sages of Neharde’a say: For the purpose of paying head tax [karga], and for payment to provide for children’s sustenance, and for burial, we sell property inherited by orphans without an announcement. In these urgent matters, the court is not particular about a possible loss incurred by the heirs.
In the event that a divorced woman comes to court and demands that she be paid her ketuba, but she admits that part of what was owed to her was already paid, if her husband claims to have paid the full amount we will not allow her to collect unless she takes an oath indicating how much she is still owed.
We explore the history of the poll tax in antiquity as well as the role of Jews’ status on Roman Antiquity.