Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Ketubot

As we begin a new Masechet, we will review the concept of the Ketuva, its obligations, and its purpose. We will learn the proper day of the week for a wedding and why. We will also learn several fundamental concepts in the laws of Shabbat, as they pertain to a wedding performed on Friday.

This week we will learn about the seven blessings, Sheva Brachot, recited at the wedding and for a week after the wedding. The Gemara tells us that some women get 200 zuz for their Ketuva and others get 100 zuz. We will learn several cases where a husband came to court and claimed that his wife wasn’t a virgin on the wedding night, and what the court’s response was to the couple.

This week we will continue learning key concepts of the Talmud, We will understand the concept of majority and when we follow it. After completing the first chapter, we will begin the second chapter with a discussion of “he said, she said” and who we believe in a court of law. We will also discuss how one behaves before a bride and what one should say.

This week we will learn which testimony is believed and which testimony isn’t.  The Gemara described women testifying that they were married and then divorced, or captured but remained pure. We also have the case of men testifying that they are Kohanim, priests, and if they are believed.

This week we will finish the second chapter of Masechet Ketuvot that discusses who’s testimony is believed in court. The third chapter deals with a man who violates or seduces a young girl and the consequences of his actions. We will continue learning key principles of Jewish law.

This week we will continue discussing the cases of rape and seduction and when the perpetrator must pay the fine of fifty shekel and when he is exempt from paying the fine. We will learn about the additional payments he must pay including compensation for her embarrassment, depreciation, and suffering.

The fourth chapter continues discussing the maiden who is seduced or raped. We will learn what payments are made and to whom they are paid. We will also learn about a husband who accuses his wife of not being a virgin and what the consequences are if he is telling the truth or lying. The Gemara lists the father’s rights from his daughter and his obligations to her.

This week we will learn what happens to the estate when a father dies. Is there a difference between how the sons are supported and how the daughters are supported? What happens to the widow? We will also learn about various responsibilities the husband has to the wife.

This week we will learn if a woman can forgo her Ketuva and what happens if she loses her Ketuva. We will learn how, in the time of the Mishna, a couple became betrothed and then had a year to prepare for the wedding. The Gemara will also teach the actions a wife must do for her husband, and if she brings a maid into the marriage, which actions she is still required to perform.

This week we are going to learn about the “rebellious wife”, why she is called rebellious and what are the consequences of her actions. We will learn about the husband’s obligation to support his wife and what are the minimum quantities of items that he needs to provide her with. We will learn the sixth chapter in its entirety and learn the laws and customs of a woman’s dowery.

This week we will learn about a husband or wife that takes vows that affect their spouse and the consequences of their actions. We will also learn about various activities that cause a woman to forfeit her Ketuva.

This week we will learn that the Sages can force a man to divorce his wife if he develops a significant defect or has an extremely smelly profession if the wife says she can’t handle it. The next chapter deals with property that the wife brings into the marriage (called Nichsei Melog). The wife has rights to the property and the husband has the right to use the produce of the property.

This week we will learn about loans, oaths, and inheritance. The Gemara teaches when the orphans can make their mother swear that she didn’t misappropriate any of the estate funds. We will also learn when the court can make the woman swear that her husband didn’t pay her any of her ketuva. The Mishna teaches that when a man dies, his heirs must pay back his debts before collecting their inheritance.

This week we will learn how we divide a limited estate between surviving wives each with a different Ketuva value. We will also learn about a widow’s financial relationship with the orphans. The Gemara also teaches that a widow has the right to sell part of the estate to support herself and for her Ketuva.

This week we will learn what happens when a court makes a mistake on the valuation of property. We will also learn who gets her Ketuva payment when she gets divorced and who doesn’t. Chapter twelve deals with husbands who promise to support their stepdaughters and the consequences of that promise.

This week we will learn about people owing money to others and their responsibility to pay it back. We will also learn about several cases where there is a discrepancy between the two parties about who owes whom money. We will finish the Masechet with the topic of sanctity and the importance of living and being buried in Israel.