divorced.” The number of divorces takes effect according to the number of times it is said. Thus, if he says, “I intended the second to emphasize the first,” we say: This is not valid. But if he says, “I intended the third to emphasize the second,” it is valid.
His statement, “or with ‘so’”: if he says, “You are divorced, so divorced,” two divorces take effect.
His statement, “Or if he says after it, before it, or along with it: ‘a divorce,’ two divorces take effect”: that is, if he says, “You are divorced; after it is a divorce,” or, “You are divorced; before it is a divorce,” or, “You are divorced; along with it is a divorce,” two divorces take effect.
In summary: when he repeats the wording, the repetition is either joined by a coordinating particle or not. If it is joined by a coordinating particle, the number of divorces corresponding to the number of repetitions takes effect. If it is not joined by a coordinating particle, then, if he repeats the entire sentence, the number of divorces corresponding to the number of repetitions takes effect; but if he repeats only the predicate, one divorce takes effect unless he intends more.
His statement, “If he has not consummated the marriage with her”: or if he has not been in seclusion with her.
His statement, “She is irrevocably separated by the first, and what follows it does not become binding upon him”: this irrevocable divorce is not a major irrevocable separation, in which she is not lawful for him until after marriage to another husband. Rather, it is a minor irrevocable separation: she does not become lawful for him again except through a new marriage contract.
An example of this is a man who has contracted marriage with a woman, then a disagreement arises between him and her guardian. He says, in the same sitting, “You are divorced, then divorced.” One divorce takes effect, and he has no right to take her back. The reason is that, when he uttered the first sentence—“You are divorced”—she became divorced, so the second sentence encountered her as irrevocably separated. For when he divorces her before consummation and seclusion, she becomes divorced the moment he says, “You are divorced,”