יום ד Date: 25 Teves, 5776 (1/6/16) – Gittin Daf 24 {Eliezer}

DIVORCING DESIGNATIONS

[24a middle] Gemarah: A woman cannot be a messenger (for her husband) and then “transform” back into herself to be able to accept a Get (for herself, from herself).
Tosephos: This mechanism does not work because a Shliach (messenger) must be able to go back to the sender and confirm that the service was accomplished (ie: document delivered). In this case since the woman would have reverted back to herself (and no longer maintaining the status of Shliach), it would be impossible to do so.
R’ Yosef Engel quoting Maharam Padua: This is the defining difference between Shlichus (sending away) and Gerushin (complete divorce). A Shliach needs to maintain a connection to the sending party whereas a Gerusha implies a total separation [these word forms are appropriately specific in the Torah: when Noach sends the birds from the ark for them to come back with signs of land “VayiShalach” is used, but when Paroh wants the Jews to get out of his face “VayiGaresh” is said].

D-E-ep Thoughts: We should always be very cautious and specific with our words. We should always take a moment to think before we speak and use words exactingly. Not only do our words affect others in positive and potentially harmful ways (Heaven forbid), but they also greatly impact ourselves as well (in physical, Halachik, and spiritual realms).