BSD Mishnah: The Torah tells us that a Hebrew person can sell himself as an Eved (servant) for six years. Many details apply to that law. E.g. Who can this person marry while he is a servant? Can he extend the work period to beyond six years? Which gifts does he receive upon leaving?
BSD A man dies, leaving behind a widow but no children. In order to establish a name for the deceased, the widow should not remarry until either "chalitza" or "yibum" are done by one of her brothers in law. (These terms are explained in this video). If her brother in law dies, however, then [...]
BSD Can a widow remarry according to Jewish law? This video teaches us the sources for second marriage in halacha.
BSD Surprise, It's marriage! What happens if a man gives a woman an item and only later she realizes that it was a Kiddushin item? Is she now married? It goes even further: What happens if he stole an item from her and now wants to be mekadesh her with that? (you are in [...]
Rabbi Avrohom Baruch Zachariash teaches the halachas of Chol Hamoed with the Mishnah Berurah (O.C. 537). Chazon Ish on watering fields with pumps; watering trees via ditches and irrigation channels; plus lots more!
BSD Crash Marriages in halacha. Is one allowed to get married in the middle of the street? Or without knowing each other before? Can a man surprise a woman and give her Kiddushin with no prior arrangements (providing she agrees to the actual marriage)? Can one marry through having relations? All these cases and [...]
BSD When tradition and finances meet. The minimum value for most halachic transactions is a "prutah". How do we estimate a prutah? This class sheds some light on the matter, discussing different coins and currencies mentioned in the Talmud. Another question discussed here deals with a coin which is worth less than a prutah [...]
BSD So... why do Bet Shammai require such a high amount of money for Kiddushin? 1) We assume women wouldn't go for less than a dinar (unless proven otherwise); 2) When the Torah mentions the word "kesef" it means silver, not money. Thus, only a silver dinar would suffice (not the regular copper prutah); [...]
BSD What an expensive girl! According to Beit Shammai, the minimum amount required for Kiddushin is a silver Dinar (that was quite a high currency in olden days). Now, for most halachic transactions, a prutah (a cheap copper coin) suffices. So why do Beit Shammai require such a high amount when it comes to [...]
BSD In memory of Sultana bat Eliyahu Two things have to happen for a Jewish marriage to take place: 1) Kiddushin (mistakenly translated as "betrothal") in which the woman receives either money or a Kiddushin document (attention: this is not a ketubah!) 2) Chuppah, in which the couple stand under one canopy or enter [...]