More Discussions for this daf
1. Go out and feed thyself 2. המקדיש ידי עבדו
DAF DISCUSSIONS - GITIN 12

Yeshayahu ha'Kohen Hollander asked:

The Gemara says that a man may tell his wife "Go out and feed thyself from the fruits of your labour".

This is diametrically opposed to what we have learned in Ketuboth chapter 4 mishna 4: "Baalah ... Hayyav Bimzonoteha", and in the gemara 58B: Rav Huna in the name of Rav: it is a woman's prerogative to say that she will keep the fruits of her work and not receive sustenance from her husband!

The Kollel replies:

This is a complicated issue. The Gemara mentions in two other places (Kesuvos 70 and 107) that there is a possibility to tell the woman "Tze'i...." See Tosfos on Kesuvos 47b (DH Tiknu) that even according to Resh Lakish who holds that the original intent of the Takanah was for the benefit of the husband (that he should receive her Ma'aseh Yadayim), and the woman therefore cannot say "Eini Nizones v'Eini Oseh," nevertheless the husband may not say "Tze'i" if the woman does not produce enough to sustain herself.

The basic consensus of the Rishonim in various places is that even without her consent the husband can say "Tze'i" when she has enough to eat from her Ma'aseh Yadayim. This is not uprooting the Takanah of Mezonos, but is simply rearranging the accounting (by having her keep the money instead of giving it to him and letting him purchase her food with it).

The Rosh holds that in such a case the husband retains all his rights, including the right to her Metzi'ah, for in actuality the husband is giving her Mezonos from his funds, since the money she earns legally belongs to him. This arrangement can be made even without her consent. A more comprehensive deal, which will continue even if she becomes unable to produce, can only be done with her consent. (See Rashi to Kesuvos 107a.)

Dov Zupnik