why does the fact that the man divorced the woman close to his death validate her receiving 2 kesuvos? what does it mean that he caused himself this loss?
alan stein, NY, USA
The woman is not entitled to two Kesuvos and she is a thief if she claims both. However, the Chachamim worked to devise a system that their Takanah should not cause losses. The entire Sugya is dealing with the best way to protect the interests of both sides against fraud. However, the plan devised requires that a widow can only claim the Kesuvah if she was living with her husband at the time of his death.
What the Gemara means when it says that he caused himself the loss is basically that we have not protected him against the eventuality that he divorces her immediately before his death, and although she is not entitled to do so, she will be able to claim twice.
D. Zupnik