Q. A woman that was married to a goy, had children and got divorced, then made teshuva and marries a frum fellow, what do you write in the kesuva?
A. When writing a kesuvah for a woman that has lost her virginity and is not a divorcee or a widow, some Poiskim advise using the appellative "beulta" instead of "besulta" (Bais Shmuel 66: 25 quoting Maharam Mintz) However when reading the kesuvah aloud under the chupa, in order to avoid public embarrassment, some permit omitting the term altogether (Yad Halevy 1: 30) or even reading it as "besulta" instead (Maharsham 7: 152).
Other Poskim prefer the term "plonis" that avoids any connotations (Nachalas Shivo 12; 15, Teshuvos Rav A. Eiger Zt"l 2: 72). Today it is more common to use simply "itssah" (Aramaic for woman, Igrois Moishe E.H. 1: 101, Teshuvos Vehanhogos 1: 659, Melamed Lehoil E.H. 23). If the woman had premarital relations with the man she is now marrying, Igrois Moishe (Orach Chaim 4: 118) permits even writing ‘besulta"
As far as the amount to be cited, it is customary to write two hundred zuzim, since the husband would willingly add that extra sum (Igrois Moishe ibid. and Orach Chaim 4: 118, Teshuvos Vehanhogos ibid.)
However Poiskim rule that one should avoid mentioning that the liability is "mideoraissa" or biblical, being sufficient that the husband accepts a liability for that amount (ibid.)
Teshuvos Vehanhogos (ibid.) explains that the variations mentioned are sufficient to raise a flag and indicate a competent Rabbi to further investigate if this woman is permitted to a Cohen, a detail important in this particular case.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
