כתובות
333 shiurim · 28 dafim covered
Dedicate a Shiur in Mesechta Kesubos
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
27 shiurim
Why does the Rambam distinguish between two types of chuppah and specify when sheva brachos are required? The shiur develops a novel understanding that birkas nissuin actually affects the quality of the marriage itself, not merely fulfilling a blessing obligation. The Rambam reveals that while nissuin without brachos is valid, it lacks the enhanced spiritual dimension that the brachos create.
Why does the Rambam require yichud for chuppah when the Gemara discusses chuppah without yichud (moser av l'shluchei ha'baal)? The shiur develops a fundamental distinction between two types of chuppah: kinyan (acquisition) and relationship (ishto k'gufo). The Rambam's regular chuppah creates ishto gemurah through relationship, while chuppah without yichud creates only kinyan-based marriage.
Can a niddah undergo chuppah? The Ran views chuppah as a kinyan requiring actual yichud, making chuppas niddah forbidden. The Rambam sees chuppah as advancing the relationship rather than a kinyan - it's lo gamru (incomplete) until she goes to mikvah but valid as a maasrh nisuin.
Can chuppah be performed when the bride is a niddah? The Ran argues that even though yichud is normally forbidden with a niddah, bedieved the chuppah works because the Rambam holds chuppah equals yichud. This creates tension with other Rishonim who seem to say kinyan through forbidden relations doesn't work.
Why does Rav Yosef ask 'tali tanya bedilo tanya' when both sources are indeed tanya? Rashi and Tosafos offer radically different readings of the Gemara's progression. The core issue emerges: when wedding delays occur, does obligation for mezonos depend on whose sake caused the delay—his or hers?
Why must women marry on Wednesday and appear in court on Thursday? The Gemara presents three fundamentally different approaches: Rashi focuses on preventing sin through spousal separation, Tosafot emphasizes expertise in testimony, while the Rambam introduces a novel understanding centered on establishing lineage status rather than marital prohibitions.
Does the Mishna's requirement to go to Beis Din mean a couple is forbidden to live together until they receive clarification? Rashi holds they remain permitted to live together while fulfilling the obligation to seek verification. This creates a chiddush that efshar levarer here means a positive duty to clarify, not a prohibition until clarification.
Why does the Mishna say 'besulah nisas' instead of 'nosen es habesulah'? Rashi and Rambam offer different approaches to who performs the main act in chuppah. The linguistic difference reflects whether the bride or groom is the primary actor in the marriage ceremony.
When does an almanah who is still a besulah get married? The Mishna says besulos marry Wednesday and almanos Thursday, but creates a contradiction since some almanos are besulos. Rashi disagrees with the Rambam's approach to this inconsistency.
How can someone be believed about their prohibited status when witnesses contradict them? The shiur distinguishes between shavi nafsho as testimony (where the person is a better witness about themselves than others) versus shavi nafsho as personal conviction (where we cannot feed someone what they believe is forbidden). This framework resolves apparent contradictions in the Gemara and Rambam.
How do we understand the Gemara's discussion of delayed marriage due to illness versus rabbinical decree? The shiur develops two distinct approaches: illness as true onas (exempting circumstance) versus rabbinical extension of the obligation's timeframe. This distinction affects when a husband becomes obligated in spousal support.
Why did the Chachamim institute Wednesday as the standard wedding day when people were already marrying on optimal days? The shiur analyzes the Gemara's discussion of higiyas zman—when husbands become obligated in spousal support. The resolution reveals that the takana protects against premature financial obligations and ensures proper wedding preparations.
When are we obligated to investigate (mevar) a doubt rather than rely on halachic presumptions? The Rashba and Trumas HaDeshen debate this in cases of safek safeka. The shiur explores whether a visible problem (re'ayah) creates an obligation to investigate, even when statistical probabilities would permit the item.
Why must women marry on Wednesday? The Gemara requires this but labels it takanas chachamim while the Rambam calls it minhag chachamim. The shiur develops how Rashi, Tosafos, and Rambam disagree fundamentally about whether this creates a new obligation or simply guides optimal timing.
When is yichud necessary for chupah and when is hachnasat l'reshut sufficient? The shiur develops a chiddush that when there's an issur biya (like by pesulot), only hachnasat l'reshut is needed since yichud's purpose is le'inyan biya. This explains the Rambam's approach to yesh chupah l'pesulot and resolves the Ran's difficulty.
Why does the Rambam require yichud for chupah when the woman is permitted but not when she's an ervah? The shiur develops that chupah fundamentally establishes hachnasas lashus, with yichud needed only when the relationship includes potential bi'ah. When there's no future hetter for intimacy, hachnasas lashus alone suffices.
How can chuppah work for a nidah if the Rambam holds chuppah is yichud and yichud with a nidah is forbidden? The shiur develops that the Rambam splits chuppah into two elements - hachnasah l'reshus (bringing into his domain) and yichud itself. This allows the Ran to resolve that b'dieved chuppas nidah works because the kinyan is hachnasah l'reshus (which isn't forbidden), while yichud only demonstrates the purpose of that acquisition.
Why is marriage delayed for her sake considered an ones, but not for his? The shiur develops a chiddush that when obstacles to marriage arise for her benefit (like preparing for shechta), it creates a legitimate ones status. When delays are for his needs (like tanis besulim), he should have married earlier and bears responsibility.
Must one be an expert to prohibit something upon oneself through shavi nafshecha tichle misura? The shiur analyzes competing approaches in Rashi and Tosafos regarding whether personal conviction suffices for self-imposed prohibitions, or if external validation of expertise is required.
Why must a betula marry on Wednesday according to the Mishna? Rashi and Tosafot disagree fundamentally about whether finding pesach pasuach creates an actual prohibition or merely an obligation to clarify. The shiur explores how this affects the din of shema yiskarah da'ato and the practical difference between issur and chiyuv levarer.
Does the principle of ones (compulsion) apply to gittin (divorce)? The shiur analyzes whether a husband can claim ones to invalidate a get, exploring the difference between claiming ones versus circumstances creating ones. The key insight involves distinguishing between conditional gets where ones affects the original giving versus revocation of an already-given get.
What type of duress (ones) applies to divorce law? The Gemara appears to link general ones exemptions to specific get situations, but this creates fundamental contradictions. The analysis reveals that ones in divorce law operates as a claim (ta'anas ones) rather than an automatic exemption, distinguishing it from universal ones principles throughout halacha.
What does it mean to be an onas (compelled person) when a get depends on fulfilling a condition? Rashi requires ta'ina onas (claiming compulsion), suggesting onas means acting unwillingly rather than lacking free choice. This reshapes how we understand compulsion in Jewish law.
Why does the Gemara rule differently when a groom can't marry due to sickness versus takanas Rabanan? The Maharsha argues that takanos for the bride's benefit don't excuse payment of mezonos, while those for the groom's benefit do. The Gemara's two approaches—onas versus "lo higiyah zeman"—yield different practical outcomes for determining when payment obligations begin.
Why does the Gemara require shkihta (checking for virginity) for three days instead of combining one day of shkihta with ta'anas pesulah? The Maharsha develops a principle that delays for the woman's benefit forfeit her right to mezonos, while delays for the husband's benefit preserve it. However, this principle faces strong challenges from the continuation of the Gemara.
Why predate a get to save a woman from execution? The Gemara offers two approaches: avoiding the obligation of bi'ur ra mei'kirbecha versus preventing her from being mezanah knowing her husband will cover for her. A second discussion examines when a husband must provide mezuzah when marriage is delayed.
What happens halachically when a niddah enters chuppah? The shiur develops the machlokes between the Ran (who says bedieved it's good) and the Rambam's apparent position. The analysis reveals that the Rambam may hold chuppah creates two separate dinim - ishto lechol davar and heter bia - which can split apart in cases of chuppas niddah.
16 shiurim
How can rabbis permit a woman to remarry when she received a get under duress? The Gemara introduces "kol mekadesh al da'as rabbanan" - every man marries contingent on rabbinic approval, allowing them to retroactively annul marriages. Rashi adds that this requires an actual get (even invalid), while Tosafos disagrees.
5 shiurim
Why don't kiddushei kesef get retroactively cancelled when forced by circumstances? The shiur develops the Rambam's revolutionary approach that kesef creates only civil acquisition while spiritual ishus comes later. This explains why ein onnes b'gittin produces a valid divorce rather than retroactive cancellation.
19 shiurim
Why doesn't the Gemara answer the question of 'vlidros onishori' with karka olam instead of beis beheimah? The shiur analyzes the dispute between Rabbeinu Tam and the Rivam over when karka olam serves as an exemption - whether it applies to giluy arayos, chillul Hashem, or both.
12 shiurim
When does mourning become obligatory if someone dies during the seven days of wedding celebration? The Rambam's position creates difficulties with existing Talmudic approaches. A novel understanding emerges: unlike the Ran who sees conflicting obligations, the Rambam holds that mourning simply isn't applicable during active joy - it's not that obligations conflict, but that one prevents the other from ever taking effect.
2 shiurim
What is the halachic significance of badeken, and when does it occur in the wedding process? The Mordechai holds that badeken itself constitutes a form of chuppah, creating a machlokes with other Rishonim about the timing of mourning laws during sheva berachos. This analysis suggests badeken represents the bride's transfer from her father's reshus before kiddushin—explaining both the emotional weight of the moment and resolving difficult Rishonim about chuppah before kiddushin.
1 shiur
22 shiurim
What determines if extracting blood violates Sabbath prohibitions? The Gemara distinguishes between dam mufkad pakid (pooled blood) and dam chibur mechaber (connected blood). The Rambam's position that chabalah is a toldah of mefareik creates difficulties with this distinction and challenges from other Talmudic sources.
9 shiurim
What distinguishes psik reisha lo nichah from melacha she'einah tzrichah legufa? The shiur develops a fundamental chakira: some melachot require only the physical action while others require specific intent to even constitute a melacha. This framework resolves the apparent contradiction between Tosafos and the Rambam on mafis morsah.
2 shiurim
Why isn't closing a door with a deer inside considered psik reisha when the Shulchan Aruch says psik reisha doesn't apply if the action could be done without that result? The shiur explores whether trapping depends on the inherent nature of the action or the specific circumstances, developing insights about melacha definition and intent.
8 shiurim
Is ochel nefesh on Yom Tov a heter allowing otherwise forbidden melacha, or does it define a different category of permitted activity? The Rambam holds it's a heter like pikuach nefesh, while the Ramban and Rav Maggid view it as non-melacha entirely. This fundamental dispute explains the Rambam's ruling on cooking for tomorrow.
17 shiurim
When does marriage become a public contract requiring ten people? The shiur develops a fundamental distinction between Hilchos Ishus and Hilchos Brachos regarding Sheva Brachos. Under the chuppah, brachos are part of creating the nisuin itself, while the week-long brachos are merely publicizing an already-established relationship.
2 shiurim
What is the relationship between sheva brachos and the issur of kala b'lo bracha? The shiur analyzes how Rashi understands that the bracha removes the issur yichud on an arusa, while the Rambam holds that even after brachos she remains an arusa with all associated restrictions until chuppah.
46 shiurim
Why does safek sfeika overcome chazakah in some cases but not others? The shiur analyzes Tosfos's position that when a chazakah resolves only one of two doubts, safek sfeika prevails, but when both doubts can be individually resolved, no safek sfeika exists.
21 shiurim
How does safek safeka work when one safek is created by smoch miut l'chazakah? Tosafot disagrees whether this constitutes a real safek safeka misapach, with major implications for when a wife can collect her kesuva against competing chazakos.
26 shiurim
When does the principle of kan nimtza kan hoya apply? The Rambam's approach differs from Rashi and Tosafos regarding a woman's claim that she was violated after erusin. The analysis develops a fundamental distinction between gradual processes (like physical blemishes) and instantaneous actions (like violation).
1 shiur
2 shiurim
When witnesses testify that a woman was not a virgin before her second marriage, why does she receive 100 zuz rather than nothing? The shiur analyzes Tosafos's complex explanation involving the husband's mindset and explores the Gemara's concern about potentially causing a kohen to violate issur.
20 shiurim
Why does the Gemara need two cases to establish that a woman is believed about who violated her? The shiur develops that the Rambam reads the Gemara as distinguishing between asking the question when she's pregnant versus after birth. When she's still pregnant, the mother's chazaka helps the unborn child since they're halachically one entity.
20 shiurim
Can statistical probability (rov) establish legal reality when a child of unknown origin (tinok mushlach) is found? The shiur develops the yesod that rov cannot change essential identity - a Jew remains a Jew regardless of demographics. This distinction between factual determination and behavioral permission resolves the tension between rov and chezkas mamon.
26 shiurim
Why does the Gemara accept a mother's testimony about her child's lineage for some purposes but not others? The shiur develops the Rava Magid's distinction that her credibility depends on whether the prohibition is d'oraisa or d'rabbanan, and explores how cheskas eim mahani lebas only applies to disqualifications derived from the mother herself.
11 shiurim
Why is the case of a safek chalal who marries into a family considered a sfeik sfeika when the Avnei Miluim argues it should be safek echad beguf, safek echad betaruvus? The shiur develops a chiddush distinguishing between paskening on the person with the safek versus paskening on those affected by that person. When we're determining the woman's status rather than the man's, we get a genuine sfeik sfeika.
6 shiurim
Why does rov work for pirish (something found) but not kavuah (fixed location)? The shiur develops the Tosafot HaRosh's insight that rov addresses halachic reality, not factual reality. When you find meat, the question is whether you may eat it (halachic) — but when entering a store, the question is which store you entered (factual).
5 shiurim
Why does the Gemara require two rovs (city and fields) to permit a found item, when each rov individually would be problematic? The shiur analyzes Rashi's approach that even certain cases are forbidden due to gezeira, versus the alternative reading that only doubtful cases are at issue.
1 shiur
1 shiur
1 shiur
1 shiur
3 shiurim — daf not yet assigned
Why does the Gemara use the term 'neeman l'osro alav' rather than simply 'asur alav'? The term 'neeman' suggests a chiddush in credibility rather than objective truth. The shiur explores whether shavya nafsheh chaticheh d'isur creates subjective believability or establishes objective facts.
How does ones k'man d'ovid dami work in conditional gittin and kiddushin? The Rosh brings clear evidence from the Mishna that it doesn't create fictional fulfillment when the condition was never met. Rather, it extends deadlines when the action was done late due to force.
How can Chachamim retroactively annul a marriage when they lack authority over the actual kiddushin? The shiur develops Rashi's two-step mechanism: the get cancels the kinyan going forward, then Chachamim retroactively void the ishus relationship itself.
How does the Gemara's statement "Ein lo chayas" (he has no lineage) impact the prohibition of relations with an Egyptian? The shiur explores Rabbeinu Tam's reading that an Egyptian has the status of an animal (behema), which creates complex implications for marriage prohibitions and the death penalty. This leads to deep analysis of whether forced versus voluntary relations affects the halachic status.
What happens when someone dies during the Shloshim period and Yom Tov arrives? The discussion focuses on the Ran's position that kavod haTov overrides mourning obligations except for the first day. This creates tension with established halachic principles about the minimum requirements for aveilus.
Why can't one get married motzei Shabbos if Shabbos preparations are permitted? The shiur develops the principle that activities like tzedakah, shidduchim, and hiring teachers aren't mere heter on Shabbos but rather kiyum Shabbos itself, as they create shalom - the ultimate expression of Sabbath values.
Why does Tosafos say dam extraction is mutar in some cases but asur in others? The analysis examines contradictions between different Tosafos regarding melacha she'ein tzrich legufa, ein meskaven, and mekalkel. The resolution depends on whether we follow Rabbi Yehuda or Rabbi Shimon's positions.
Why isn't psik reisha d'lo nichle considered ein hamachaven rather than melacha she'ain tzrich legufa? The shiur analyzes Rav Kivagar's complex kashe that questions this fundamental distinction. Different Rishonim disagree whether mafis morsah is melacha she'ain tzrich legufa or ein hamachaven, revealing deep conceptual differences.
Why does Tosafos understand that even a baki is considered she'aino baki regarding hatoya? The sugya explores whether expertise in hatoya makes biah permitted on Shabbos without concern for psik reisha, and why even experts remain nervous. The analysis shows that true bikius requires such effort that even experts face tirda, affecting the entire framework of psik reisha.
What is the nature of the heter for melacha on Yom Tov? The Rambam holds that all melachos remain forbidden - even cooking is fundamentally an issur. The Torah provides a specific heter of ochel nefesh which permits certain melachos when done for food preparation, but this doesn't eliminate their essential character as forbidden work.
Why do Sheva Berachos apply to yibum when the primary purpose is procreation, not relationship? The Rambam's ruling that yibum requires ma'amar reveals that Birchas Nisuin centers on establishing relationship awareness. This differs fundamentally from the Rosh's view that marriage is merely a vehicle for fulfilling pru urvu.
What exactly do birchas chasanim accomplish at erusin, and why are they permitted if an arusah remains forbidden to her husband? The shiur develops the tension between Rashi's position that the bracha removes the issur yichud and the Rambam's view that she retains arusah status. This leads to fundamental questions about whether chuppah is d'oraisa or d'rabanan.
Why wasn't Basheva forbidden to Dovid after their encounter? The shiur analyzes whether pituy ketana (seducing a minor) constitutes ones (coercion) or ratzon (consent). The Rambam holds pituy ketana is ratzon, but intimidation by a king might shift it to ones status.
How can a woman collect her kesubah in Yehuda when both spouses agree she wasn't touched during erusin? The Beis Yaakov asks why this differs from other cases where uncertainty prevents collecting money. The shiur distinguishes between evidentiary questions and halachic categories - in Yehuda it's not about proving what happened, but about losing the right to claim pesach besulah.
When a husband claims his wife was not a virgin but she says she was raped after their engagement, who is believed? The shiur develops how this dispute depends on presumptions about when the violation occurred and explores why she remains permitted to her husband according to both opinions.
Why isn't it considered mekach tos when a man marries assuming the woman is a besulah and discovers she's actually a beulah? The shiur develops a fundamental yesod that kesubah money is not a purchase price for the woman but payment for the relationship itself. Since sharei konsa rishon creates the same quality relationship regardless of her status, there's no basis for claiming mekach tos.
What makes a woman credible when she claims her child is kosher after witnesses saw her in yichud? The shiur analyzes why the Rambam requires two majorities to permit the mother to marry a kohen but only one majority to validate the child as kosher. The approach contrasts mainstream marriage eligibility versus kehunah restrictions.
Why is testimony that cannot lead to witness punishment still considered valid in monetary cases? The shiur develops a fundamental distinction: eidus she'yichol l'chazam in monetary law requires precise, contradictable testimony, while in capital cases it additionally requires the ability to punish lying witnesses.
How does chezkas haeim (presumptive status of the mother) work to determine if her child is kosher for kehuna or kahal? The shiur argues that disqualification from kehuna comes through the mother's status, not directly from the father. This reframes the entire sugya - even when we can't determine who the father is, if the mother retains her kosher status through chazakah, the child cannot be disqualified.
Why do we believe a woman who claims her husband was kosher in one case but not another? The Gemara contrasts a case where a woman carefully checks her husband's status versus our Mishna where she doesn't care who she marries. The analysis reveals fundamental questions about when testimony is credible.
When can we apply kol deparish meruba parish (most who separate from a group follow the majority) to people versus objects? The shiur develops a fundamental distinction: for objects that truly leave their group, we use the majority of traveling items, but for people who are chozir l'nichusa (returning to their fixed place), we can only use the majority of the fixed population.
How does the principle of "kol kavua k'machtzah al machtzah dami" affect both ritual law and criminal intent? The shiur analyzes whether safek tumah in different domains follows the same logic as criminal culpability, exploring whether "probably tamei" constitutes safek or vadai status and how kavua impacts kavanah in capital cases.
What is the halachic status of an eved between the time of shichrur and tevilah? According to most Rishonim, an eved is already Jewish and only needs to remove the din of avdus. The Rambam, however, maintains that he becomes a ger who requires tevilah to become fully Jewish.
