Yossie Kram asked:
Is there any insight into why the Rabanan instituted this amount - 25 years?
Yossie Kram, Los Angeles, CA, USA
The Kollel replies:
The Mishnah on the Daf you mentioned explains that there are two reasons for the number 25. According to Rebbi Meir, during 25 years the wife will give away so many small amounts of food etc. to her neighbors, that it will add up to the value of her Kesuvah. Therefore, she is no longer eligible to collect the Kesuvah for herself. According to the Rabanan, if the wife did not demand payment in 25 years, it is obvious that she has forgone her writes to the Kesuvah (Mechilah).
M. Kornfeld