חֵבֶל

חֵבֶלm. (b. h.; חָבַל) 1) writhing, throes of birth, agony. Snh.98b, a. e. חֶבְלוֹ של משיח the sufferings which are to precede the advent of the Messiah.Pl. חֲבָלִים, constr. חֶבְלֵי. Nidd.31a ח׳ נקבה the pains at giving birth to a female. Ib. חבלי של נקבה (read: חבלים). Ib. וזהו ח׳ אשה and this is the cause of womans throes. 2) damage, injury. Mekh. Mishp., Nzikin, s.8 ח׳ אשה לבעל the damages for a wifes injury belong to her husband.