Gittin 25b — the Talmud in English

First tithe: nine parts are second tithe, ![](pamud.bmp "

precise page location")

and he may redeem it

he transfers the sanctity of the second tithe to coins that he has at home]

and drink immediately.

Since retroactive designation applies, when he separates the portions it will become clear retroactively which measures were the priestly portion and the first tithe,

these are the words of Rabbi Meir.

Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Shimon prohibit it.

Here, however, this is a case in which the matter depends on his own decision, and Rabbi Judah holds that “retroactive designation does not apply.”

But in a case where the matter depends on

the decision of others, he holds that retroactive designation applies.

As we learned:

A man says to his wife, “This is your divorce document from now, if I die from this illness.” If he dies from that illness, it is a valid divorce document.

And

what is her status during those days [

as long as he has not died]?

Rabbi Judah says: She is considered a married woman in every respect.” And

Rabbi Judah holds that

when he dies [

when he dies],

the divorce document takes effect.

Although, at the time he gave her the divorce document, it was uncertain whether he would live or die, and he made the validity of the divorce document dependent on the decision of the One in whose hands life and death lie, nevertheless, when he dies, we say that it has become clear retroactively that, from the time he gave it, he was destined to die from that illness. The divorce document therefore takes effect from that time.

This proves that, according to Rabbi Judah, retroactive designation applies when the matter depends on the decision of others, and not as Rava said.

Likewise,

Rav Mesharshya said to Rava: Here

we find that

Rabbi Shimon holds that retroactive designation does not apply when the matter depends on one’s own decision, but does apply when it depends on the decision of others.

And where do we find Rabbi Shimon’s statement that

retroactive designation does not apply when the matter depends on one’s own decision—

that is the matter we have stated.

That is, the Mishna mentioned above: “One who purchases wine from the Samaritans, Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Shimon prohibit it.” This proves that retroactive designation does not apply.

On the other hand,

he holds that retroactive designation applies when the matter depends on the decision of others—

as it is taught in a beraita:

A man says to a woman,

“I am having intercourse with you

for the sake of betrothal

on the condition that my father approves.” Even if the father does not approve, she is betrothed,

because a man does not make his intercourse an act of promiscuity; he resolved in his heart to betroth her with a complete betrothal in any event.

Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda says in the name of Rabbi Shimon: If the father approved, she is betrothed.