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Why does the Torah (תורה) use "begapo" (his wing) to describe an unmarried person in the laws of Hebrew servants? The shiur explains that the term reflects a fundamental principle: marriage is not merely an acquisition or partnership but a merger of two bodies into one entity. When husband and wife share one garment at the chuppah, it symbolizes that their bodies have become unified.
The shiur opens with a linguistic puzzle from Parshas Mishpatim. In modern Hebrew, an unmarried person is called "rovach," but the Torah (תורה) in this week's parasha uses the word "gapo" to describe someone who is single: "Im begapo yavo begapo yetzei" — if he comes unmarried, he leaves unmarried. Rashi (רש"י) explains that "gapo" literally means "his wing," as in the wing of a bird, referring to the end of his garment. This seems like an awkward way to characterize an unmarried person — as if all he has is the shirt on his back. In fact, the expression seems backwards: often an unmarried person has more material possessions than a married one. Rabbi Zweig proposes a deeper understanding rooted in the halachic definition of marriage. The Gemara (גמרא) in Kiddushin defines when a couple becomes "nesuin" (married): "Ki venishpiris taliso aleha" — when he spreads his tallis over her. This is not merely a symbolic gesture; it reflects the essence of what nesuin accomplishes. Some communities, particularly Sefardim and Yekkes, literally place the tallis over both the chassan and kallah before the sheva berachos, enacting the Gemara's formulation. This act of covering both bride and groom with one garment is the defining moment of the chuppah.
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Parshas Mishpatim, Shemos 21:3
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