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Why would one need sheva brachos when being mekadesh a woman through biya, which seems like the most legitimate case? The shiur analyzes three approaches: Rashi (רש"י) holds both chuppah and bracha are needed to permit biya, the Rambam (רמב"ם) views bracha as part of the chuppah itself, while Tosafos (תוספות) distinguishes between biya l'shem chuppah (permitted without bracha) and subsequent intimate relations (requiring bracha).
This shiur examines Kesubos 7b's discussion of birchas chasanim (wedding blessings) in Yehuda, focusing on a fundamental question: if someone lives with a woman l'shem chuppah (for the purpose of marriage), why would Tosafos (תוספות) say no bracha is needed, when this seems like the most legitimate case requiring blessings? The analysis reveals three distinct approaches among the Rishonim. Rashi (רש"י)'s position is that the issur (prohibition) applies to yichud itself with an unmarried woman, and kala belo bracha means one needs two things to permit biya: chuppah and bracha. According to Rashi, both are necessary matirim (permitting factors) - the chuppah and the bracha together permit even the first biya.
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Why does halacha forbid entering dangerous places if everything happens by Divine decree? The shiur examines the debate between Rashi and Tosfos on traveling at night, developing a fundamental distinction: Rashi holds one must avoid even deserved punishments that Hashem delays through mercy, while Tosfos holds the prohibition addresses self-inflicted harm through free will. This framework reveals how people rationalize self-destructive behavior as "hashgacha."
Why does the Gemara praise hospitality to scholars as a unique mitzvah rather than ordinary hachnasas orchim? The shiur distinguishes two mitzvahs: hachnasas orchim (providing for those in need) and connecting to talmidei chachamim (cleaving to God through scholars). Yisro's meal for the Jewish leaders wasn't charity—it was his way of bonding with those transformed by Torah, teaching that learning must fundamentally change who we are.
Kesubos 7b
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