Note: It should be stressed that the statements in a summary must not be interpreted as halachic rulings no matter how definitively they are worded. When such rulings are needed a qualified rabbi must be consulted.

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

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