Kiddushin

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(Redirected from Erusin)

This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent.
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While today's engagements only correspond to dating in a halachic sense[1], there is a process called Kiddushin which is the halachic act of engagement.[2] Once a woman is halachically engaged (mekudeshet), she may not marry anyone else unless she receives a halachic divorce (get) or if her husband dies.[3] If the husband dies without children, in certain cases, there is a mitzvah of Chalitza prior to remarrying.[4]

Ritual Results of Kiddushin

  1. Once a woman is halachically engaged, it is an extremely serious sin to have relations with anyone else.[5] Not only that, there are numerous safeguards some of which are biblical and some of which are rabbinic which prevent a married woman from becoming too close with another man. These apply equally to a married and halachically engaged woman.[6]

Procedure of Kiddushin

  1. Kiddushin in theory could be accomplished in one of three ways: using money, a written document, or through marital relations.[7] However, accomplishing Kiddushin through marital relations is a deplorable practice and is strictly forbidden.[8]
  2. The minhag is to accomplish Kiddushin with money as opposed to a written document.[9]
  3. According to a minority opinion, chupa can also accomplish Kiddushin.[10] Some Achronim are concerned for this opinion.[11]

Giving the Ring and Saying Harei At Mekudeshet Li

  1. The minhag is to do Kiddushin with a ring.[12]
  2. Immediately after reciting the beracha on the wine and the Birkat Erusin,[13] the chattan should recite ”הרי את מקודשת לי בטבעת זו כדת משה וישראל”[14] and put the ring on the finger of the kallah in the presence of two valid witnesses.[15]
  3. If he gave her the ring before saying the statement, she should return the ring and do it again correctly. After the fact, even if they didn’t redo it, the Kiddushin is valid.[16]

Laws of the Ring

  1. According to most poskim, it is permitted to effect Kiddushin with a borrowed ring if the person you are borrowing it from knows that you’re using it for Kiddushin.[17] However, to avoid a dispute one should borrow the ring from the third party as a matana al menat lhachzir (a gift given on condition that it is later returned).[18]
  2. If the ring gets lost, it is possible to do the Kiddushin with a coin.[19]
  3. The ring must belong exclusively to the chattan. Therefore, the practice is that the Mesader Kiddushin asks the chattan if the ring belongs to him.[20]
  4. One should use a plain ring without any stones or designs, so that the kallah does not misevaluate the value of the ring.[21] The custom is to confirm with the witnesses that the ring is worth a perutah to show that she is getting married on only a perutah.[22] Nonetheless, initially one should avoid any question by using a plain ring.[23]
  5. Some have the minhag to use a silver ring,[24] while others prefer to use a gold ring.[25] Either is certainly acceptable,[26] but if the ring is silver, the man must tell her so, otherwise she will assume it is gold, and it is questionable if the Kiddushin is effective.[27]
  6. The ring should be placed on the right index finger of the kallah. If it is placed on the left hand, the Kiddushin is certainly still valid.[28]
  7. If the chattan uses something forbidden from benefit on a biblical level or even a rabbinic level that has a connection to a biblical law the kiddushin is completely invalid.[29] However, if someone uses something that is only rabbinic and not connected to any biblical law it is a dispute if that is a valid kiddushin and therefore, she would need to redo the kiddushin or receive a get before marrying someone else.[30]
  8. If the chattan uses chametz in the sixth hour of Erev Pesach or rabbinic chametz after chatzot on Erev Pesach some say it is an invalid kiddushin and some say it is a dispute and requires a get before remarrying.[31] If the chattan uses chametz after midday or on Pesach itself it is an invalid kiddushin.[32]

Double Ring Ceremony

  1. The performance of a double ring ceremony, where in addition to the chattan giving the kallah a ring, the kallah gives a ring to the chattan as well, should be strongly discouraged, even if the kallah does not say anything.[33]

Removing Other Jewelry

  1. Some have the minhag for the chattan and kallah to remove all jewelry before the chuppah.[34] Others think this is unnecessary.[35] Some think that by giving away one’s personal belongings to his friend before going to the chuppah it is some sort of segula. In reality, there is no such segula, but one may do so, since the friend will make sure that it is watched properly.[36]

Night Time

  1. Some say it is preferable not to do kiddushin at night.[37] During the winter this is usually impractical.[38]

Selecting Edim (Witnesses) for Kiddushin

Witnesses (eidim) are necessary to observe the Kiddushin process, when the chosson gives the kallah a ring and says “harei at mekudeshet li betaba’at zu kedat Moshe veYisrael.”

  1. It is proper to specify witnesses for the Kiddushin. However, if a mistake occurred and the witnesses were invalid, the marriage is valid as long as other kosher witnesses were watching.[39]
  2. Some hold that it is critical for the witnesses to see the bride's face at the time of the Kiddushin.[40] However, in some communities as a matter of modesty (tzeniyut) the bride's face isn't uncovered.[41]

Who is a Kosher Witness

see Kosher Witnesses

The Beracha for Kiddushin (Birkat Erusin)

ברוך אתה ה' אלקנו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על העריות[42] ואסר לנו את [43] הארוסות והתיר לנו את הנשואות לנו[44] על ידי חופה ב\וקידושין[45] ברוך אתה ה' מקדש עמו ישראל על ידי חופה ב\וקידושין[46][47]

  1. One should make the Beracha before giving the Kallah the ring.[48]
  2. The Minhag is that the Mesader Kiddushin is the one who makes the Beracha.[49]
  3. One should make Birkat Erusin over a cup of wine. If there is no wine available, one may use Shechar. If there is neither wine nor Shechar available, one may make Birkat Erusin without them.[50]

Nesuin before Kiddushin

  1. Is it possible to have a Nesuin before Kiddushin? It is a major dispute in the Achronim.[51]

Who to Marry

Forbidden Marriages

  1. A person should be very careful not to marry a woman who is forbidden to him in any way. Anyone who marries someone who is forbidden to him is cursed that he will have wayward children.[52] For example, this applies to a yisrael marrying a mamzeret or kohen marrying a chalala.[53]
  2. If someone who is going to marry someone who is forbidden to him, his relatives could and should encourage him not to go through with it. If he doesn't listen the relatives should do something so that they remember that he married someone forbidden and his descendants shouldn't get mixed up with theirs.[54]

For Cohanim

Divorcee, Zonah, Chalala
  1. A cohen may not marry a divorcee from the Torah.[55]
  2. Even if there is a doubt if she is a divorcee, zonah, or chalala, she may not marry a cohen. If a cohen married her, they are obligated to get divorced.[56]
  3. A woman who was divorced as a chumra (stringency) is nonetheless forbidden to marry a cohen.[57] After the fact, if a cohen married her there is a dispute if the must get divorced.[58]
  4. A cohen who marries someone forbidden to him should be excommunicated.[59]
  5. A zonah, for the purposes of not marrying a cohen, is someone who had relations with someone she wasn't allowed to marry or a chalal. For example, a woman who had relations with a Jew outside of marriage, although a grave violation, does not invalidate her from marrying a cohen, since she wouldn't have been forbidden from marrying that Jew. However, a woman who had relations with a non-Jew is forbidden from marrying a cohen.[60]
  6. A chalala is a girl born from a cohen who married someone forbidden to cohanim. For example, if a cohen married a divorcee or zonah and they have a girl, that girl is a chalala.[61]
  7. If the wife of a cohen has relations with another man even if she's raped she is forbidden to her husband.[62]
Convert
  1. A cohen may not marry a convert even if she was less than 3 years old when she converted.[63] She is considered a convert even if her mother converted while she was pregnant with her in utero.[64]
  2. If a cohen is civilly married to a non-Jew, bet din should not convert her knowing that she's going to continue to live with the cohen.[65]
Daughter of Non-Jew
  1. The daughter of a non-Jew and a Jewish mother may not marry a kohen.[66] If they got married after the fact they may stay married.[67]
  2. If they were married civilly and now want to do chupa and kiddushin, many rabbis wouldn’t allow the marriage.[68]

Remarrying Your Divorcee

  1. If a man was married to a woman and got divorced and then she got married to someone else, the first husband may never remarry his wife. If she didn't get married in between, he can and it is a good for him to remarry his divorcee.[69]
  2. If she didn't get married and was living together with another man that doesn't forbid her from remarrying her original husband.[70]
  3. If a man married a woman (with kiddushin and chupa) and got divorced (with a get), and then she married someone else with a civil marriage, if they did a get for that "marriage" the original husband may not remarry her.[71] Sephardim are lenient in extenuating circumstances.[72]

Marrying for Money

  1. While technically permitted,[73] it is ill-advised to marry purely for money.[74] However, if the prospective spouse has good middot and is a good shidduch, the fact that money is another factor in the equation is of no consequence.[75] Like anything tangible in life, money can come and go. Therefore, one shouldn’t weigh money or prominence too highly when considering a shidduch.[76]
  2. If a shidduch was made and a dowry was agreed upon, but then the father-in-law backs out of the dowry, the chatan shouldn't keep his kallah tied up and fight over the dowry money. If he does so, he won't be successful and ultimately it will damage their marriage if they do get married. Rather, he should just happily take whatever dowry they offer.[77]
  3. A shouldn't hold himself back from getting married because he is waiting for an arranged marriage to a wealthy family.[78] This is true even if he's poor and needs the money.[79]

Marrying a Bat Kohen

  1. Kohanim have a special status in klal yisrael and it is fitting for a bat kohen to marry a kohen or a talmid chacham, since Torah is another crown comparable to kehuna. Someone who is not religious and degrades mitzvot should not marry a bat kohen.[80]

Bat Talmid Chacham

  1. A person should endeavor to marry a bat talmid chacham and not a bat am haaretz.[81]

Checking into Yichus

  1. The strict halacha is that in general it isn't necessary to check into the yichus of families when choosing a spouse to see if there's any reason that the marriage would be forbidden.[82] Many rishonim hold that a cohen should check the lineage before marrying but the minhag is not to check lineage at all.[83]
  2. If there is a family who people don't know, some poskim hold that it is necessary to check about their lineage before marrying into their family to ensure that they aren't mamzerim.[84] Other poskim hold that it isn't necessary.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Suspicious Lineage Due to Bad Middot

  1. Two families who are constantly fighting, two people who constantly fight, a single family who constantly fight, or an individual who fights with everyone and is very brazen, have suspicious lineage and a person should distance themselves from marrying such people.[85] Nowadays some say that this isn't a concern.[86]
  2. Someone who always says that others are mamzerim, is suspected that he is a mamzer.[87]
  3. Someone who is brazen, cruel, hateful, and doesn't do kindness to others, is suspicious that he isn't Jewish.[88]

Polygamy

  1. Rabbnu Gershom instituted that a man may not marry a second wife and imposed an excommunication for anyone who did not follow this edict.[89] Although some say that he only instituted this until 1240[90] and the rabbis of the time extended it forever more.[91] Others say that there was no time limit to begin with.[92] Though Sephardim never accepted upon themselves this institution,[93] it is still forbidden in countries where the norm is that people do not practice polygamy.[94]
  2. Once a man gives his wife a kosher get (bill of divorce)[95] and she accepts it on her own volition[96] they can both get remarried.
  3. Takanat mean rabbanim (lit. permit from one hundred rabbis; heb. היתר מאה רבנים) is an institution to allow a man to marry another wife in certain rare cases where he cannot divorce his wife, such as if she went crazy or they are forbidden to each one but she doesn't want to accept the get. It requires getting the approval of one hundred rabbis from three countries.[97]
  4. If the marriage was forbidden to begin with he should divorce her but if he cannot he may marry another wife. The minhag is to require a heter meah rabbanim to allow him to remarry.[98] In all cases of heter meah rabbanim the man must arrange an unconditional get for her.[99] In the case of where she went crazy he must set up a get for her and if she gets better he must give her it.[100]

Proving Someone Is a Cohen

Self-Declaration

  1. If someone claims he’s a cohen he’s not trusted unless he says it as part of a story that indicates that he’s telling the truth.[101] Nowadays, some say in the diaspora that we trust someone who claims he’s a cohen to get the first aliyah even without any proof.[102]
  2. A community should not allow someone to get the first aliyah just because they say that they are a cohen. They need a witness to establish that they are a cohen or have a chazaka, such that it is known that they get the first aliya or do birkat cohanim.[103]

One Witness or Chazaka

  1. If someone has one witness he’s trusted to be considered a cohen of chazaka, can get the first aliyah, do birkat cohanim, and eat trumah derabbanan.[104] A father is trusted to say that his son is a cohen.[105]

Two Witnesses

  1. If someone has two witnesses that he’s a cohen and his ancestors are cohanim back to the times when cohanim worked on the mizbe’ach, he is a cohen meyuchas and can eat trumah deoritta.[106]

Halachic Documents

  1. If someone’s name was written in a halachic document as “So-and-son the cohen” and it was signed by witnesses that is a proof that he is established as a cohen like the cohanim of chazaka nowadays.[107]
  2. If someone signed a document as a cohen and there was no witnesses on it, it is questionable if it is a proof that he is a cohen.[108]

Chazaka Based on Father

  1. If one witness testifies that the father of an individual is a cohen that isn't proof that he is a cohen because perhaps the father married someone who is forbidden to him. If there is a chazaka that the father is a cohen or there are two witnesses that the father is a cohen then the son is established as a cohen and halacha isn’t concerned that the father married someone forbidden to him.[109]
  2. If there was a chazaka that a man’s father was a cohen but there is a rumor that his mother is someone a cohen may not marry the son is not established as a cohen, unless a single witness testifies that the son is in fact a cohen.[110]

Child from Cohen Outside Marriage

  1. If a woman had relations with a cohen outside of marriage and then married another cohen within 3 months, the child is not given the privileges of cohen[111] since the identity of the father is not known even though certainly it is a cohen.[112] In the opposite case where she had relations within 3 months of her cohen husband’s death some say that the child is not a cohen.[113]
  2. If a non-married woman had relations with a cohen outside of marriage and he admits that it is his son, the child is a cohen.[114] If the father wouldn’t be there and just the mother would say that the child is a cohen she wouldn’t be trusted, though the child can be assumed not to be a mamzer.[115]

Advice of Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid

Mechutanim With Same Names

  1. Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid advised that people with the same name shouldn’t marry off their children to each other. Some are not concerned with this at all.[116] Even those who are have certain leniencies:
  2. If one of the parents has a double name and the other doesn’t, many hold that it is permitted. For example, if one’s name is Yehuda and the other is Yehuda Leib, there is no concern.[117]
  3. If one of the parents goes by another name even though their Hebrew names are the same, some say that there is no concern.[118]
  4. The concern doesn’t apply to a step-father of one of the sides, only biological parents.[119]
  5. Many poskim hold that there is no concern if the two mother-in-laws have the same name. It is only a concern for two father-in-laws with the same name.[120]

Daughter-in-Law Same Name As Mother-in-Law or Son-in-Law Like Father-in-Law

  1. Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid advised that a woman not marry a man whose mother's name is like her name. Similarly, a man should not marry a woman whose father's name is like his name.[121] Some are only concerned for a wife and mother-in-law having the same name and not concerned for a man and a father-in-law having the same name.[122] Reasons suggested for this are ayin hara,[123] in order to be able to fulfill kibbud av v'em by naming one's child after one's parent after they pass away,[124] or so that the wife doesn't call her husband by his first name in front of her father sharing that same name.[125] Some poskim hold that Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid only meant it for his descendants and it isn't halachically binding.[126]
  2. It is permitted for one of them to change their name to avoid this issue.[127] Some say adding a name is sufficient, while others argue.[128]
  3. There are many leniencies:
    1. If they go by different names even if their real names are the same is fine.[129]
    2. If they go by the same name but their real names are different it is a dispute if that is an issue.[130]
    3. It is worthwhile to marry into a Torah family and not be concerned with the names being the same.[131]
    4. If one has a name and the other has a double name, some poskim hold that it isn't an issue. For example, if one is Leib and the other is Yakov Leib it isn't an issue.[132] Some poskim argue.[133] If one has a double name and one doesn't but they are both called by the same name, some are still lenient,[134] while others are strict in this case.[135]
    5. Some are lenient as long as the names of three generations, namely the father-in-law, son-in-law, and son-in-law's son-in-law aren't the same.[136]
    6. Some allow if the couple gets permission from three rabbis.[137]
  4. Someone who knows a couple who wasn't aware for this stringency of Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid doesn't need to tell them about it.[138]
  5. If the husband's name is like his mother-in-law or wife like her father-in-law there is no concern.[139]

If Husband and Wife's Names Are Alike

  1. Some poskim write that if someone is concerned for Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid if the husband and wife's names are alike they should change one of them.[140]

Two Brothers Marrying Two Sisters

  1. Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid writes that two brothers shouldn't marry two sisters.[141] Some question this.[142]
  2. Some are concerned about a sister and bother marrying a brother and sister, but others aren't.[143]

Sources

  1. See Mishna Brurah 493:3
  2. Kiddushin 2a, Rambam (Ishut 1:2). Rav Hershel Schachter in B’ikvei Hatzon p. 195 writes that Kiddushin establishes a woman as a married woman not yet in her husband’s domain (eshet ish shelo b’bet habaal), while Nesuin give her the status of a married woman living in her husband’s domain (eshet ish b’bet habaal).
  3. Mishna Kiddushin 2a, Rambam (Gerushin 1:1)
  4. Rambam (Yibum 1:2)
  5. Vayikra 20:10, Rambam (Ishut 1:3)
  6. With regards to Yichud, see Avoda Zara 36b. Regarding the numerous other separations between men and women, such as touching, staring inappropriately, speaking together inappropriately, listening to her voice, or even thinking about her inappropriately, see the Appropriate Interaction between Men and Women page.
  7. Mishna Kiddushin 2a, Rambam (Ishut 1:2), Shulchan Aruch 26:4
  8. The Gemara Kiddushin 12b records Rav's insistence on not accomplishing Kiddushin with marital relations that he would give lashes to anyone who did such. Rashi (s.v. derav) and Rambam (Ishut 3:21) explain that the reason it is deplorable is because it is licentious. Shulchan Aruch EH 26:4 codifies this as halacha.
  9. Rambam (Ishut 3:21). Rav Schachter in a shiur on YUTorah ("Hilchos Siddur Kiddushin", min 4) explained that the reason we do so is because we are registering our compliance with chazal and disagreement with the karaites who didn't accept Kiddushin through money. Nitai Gavriel (Nesuin v. 1, p. 24-5) offers kabbalistic reasons for why we do Kiddushin with money as opposed to a written document.
  10. Rav Huna in Kiddushin 5a holds that chupa can accomplish Kiddushin based on a kal vechomer. While the Rabbenu Chananel holds like Rav Huna, most rishonim do not. See Rosh (Kiddushin 1:1) and Shulchan Aruch 26:2.
  11. Pitchei Teshuva 21:3 quotes the Shaar Hamelech who is very concerned for the opinion of Rabbenu Chananel claiming that this is also the opinion of Rashi and the Tur. This has relevance if someone did an invalid Kiddushin with kesef but used the chupa as Kiddushin whether the woman would need a get to remarry. Aruch Hashulchan 26:15 is similarly concerned.
  12. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 31:2, Yalkut Yosef (Sovah Semachot 1:7:14). Rav Hershel Schachter (Hilchos Siddur Kiddushin 4:00) explained that the reason this minhag developed was to show our compliance with Chazal as opposed to the Karaites who didn't accept Kiddushin through money. Nitei Gavriel (Nesuin v. 1, p. 24-5) offers kabbalistic reasons for why we do Kiddushin with money specifically.
    One can technically use any item that is worth a perutah (25 mg of silver according to Shiurei Torah (3:42)). Although Rabbi Eli Mansour Syrian Sephardic Wedding Guide writes that the practice in the Syrian community is to use an actual coin (in which case you would say בכספא הדין instead of בטבעת זו), Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:14) writes that the common practice is to use a ring. HaNesuin Kihilchatam 7:5 agrees. The Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 554) adds that a reason to use a ring is so that it should serve as a reminder to her always of her marriage. See Yalkut Yosef for mystical and other reasons.
  13. This is the position brought in Shulchan Aruch E.H. 34:1 because the Rif (Shu"t 293) and Rambam (Hilchot Ishut 3:23) hold that the Birkat Erusin is a birkat hamitzva. Therefore, it must be made over le’asiyatan, before the Kiddushin. Otherwise, it would be a beracha levatala. Ramban Pesachim 7b s.v. vha agrees with the Rambam. Rabbenu Tam (Pesachim 7a s.v. Biliva’er) and other Rishonim argue that it is a birkat hashevach and should be recited after the Kiddushin. Tosfot HaRash Mshantz Pesachim 7a s.v. bilaver and Rashba Ketubot 7b agree. Although the opinion of the Rosh is subject to debate, the Beit Yosef (EH 34:1b) assumes that the Rosh holds like the Rif.
  14. Sefer Hamakneh (Kuntres Acharon 27:3) writes that you should be careful to recite the full “harei at” before placing the ring on her finger. Haisuin Kihilchatam 7:38 and Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:8) agree. If one gave the ring before reciting the “harei at” they should give the ring again after reciting it. Yabia Omer EH 2:5:3 concludes that the same ring can be used the second time. See also Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz (Ten Minute Halacha: Saying Harei at Mekudeshes After Giving the Ring)
  15. Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:1). According to many authorities, the witnesses must see the chatan place the ring on the kallah's finger (Shu”t HaRashba 1:780, Rama EH 42:4). Although Chatom Sofer EH 100 rules that this is not essential, the accepted practice is to be certain that the witnesses see the actual placing of the ring on the kallah's finger (Pitchei Teshuvah EH 42:12, Hanishuin Kihilchatam 8:12).
  16. Yalkut Yosef (Sovah Semachot 1:7:8) writes that it is important to say the hari at before giving the ring otherwise it is like getting married with a loan which is ineffective. If this happened he should take back the ring, say the hari at, and then give her the ring again. Yabia Omer EH 2:5:3 proves from Rama 27:3 that it is enough to just repeat the hari at and give the ring again and not to have to use a new ring. Rabbi Mordechai Willig (4th Year Halacha Hilchos Ishut 5) agrees that if he gave the ring first he should take it back and repeat it. Once the chatan said the words “hari at mikudeshet li” even though he didn’t finish the whole phrase the chatan should take back the ring and do it again.
  17. The Rosh (Kiddushin 1:20) explains that if a man uses a borrowed ring it is effective because even though the ring doesn’t belong to him it isn’t similar to something stolen since he is giving her the benefit of having the ring for some short period of time. Furthermore, the Rosh adds that if a person asks explicitly to borrow a ring in order to marry a woman he is clearly intending to use whatever language it is necessary to get married and so it is as though he meant to acquire the ring from the third party with a matana al menat lhachzir which is effective. However, according to this approach it is critical that he either pay his wife for the ring and return it or he return the value of the ring to the third party. He cites that this was also the opinion of the Rav Moshe Hacohen and Rabbenu Shimshon. The Shulchan Aruch EH 28:19 adopts the opinion of the Rosh. Chelkat Mechokek 28:33 writes that according to the Rosh’s second approach if a person used a borrowed ring and didn’t return it or pay for it afterwards the Kiddushin is invalid retroactively. Furthermore, Bet Shmuel 28:48 clarifies that if the man didn’t tell the lender that he is using it for Kiddushin it would only work according to the first approach, which is acceptable under certain conditions that he delineates there.
  18. The Rashba 1:273 argues that a borrowed ring is ineffective since it doesn’t belong to the man. The Avnei Nezer EH 136 is very concerned for the opinion of the Rashba. See Yabia Omer EH 6:6 regarding using this as a factor in invalidating a Kiddushin. Therefore, to avoid a dispute one should make sure to use a matana al menat lhachzir which is effective as the Shulchan Aruch EH 28:20 writes.
  19. Pitchei Teshuva 27:1 cites the Bet Shmuel who held that initially one shouldn’t use a coin based on the gemara Bava Metsia 46a, but the Avnei Meilum argues that only for chalipin where the kinyan requires something that can have a lasting value is a coin ineffective.
  20. Shulchan Aruch EH 28:1, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:12), HaNisuin Kihilchatam 7:14. Rav Eliyahu Ben Haim (How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony Part 2/2) 0:50 explains that he could have bought it or received it as a gift, as long as it is entirely his and not borrowed (Though Shulchan Aruch 28:17 holds that if it is borrowed, it would work bidieved as long as you notified the person you were borrowing from that you intended to use it for Kiddushin. See also Yabea Omer 6:6:7). Beit Shmuel 29:46 writes that it is the responsibility of the mesader Kiddushin to clarify this. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz (Ten Minute Halacha: The Chuppah Part 2) quotes Rav Schachter that you should ask this before the birkat erusin to minimize the pause between the beracha and giving the ring.
  21. Tosafot Kiddushin 9a s.v. “Vihilchita,” Shulchan Aruch EH 31:2, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:15), Nitei Gavriel 21:5, HaNisuin Kihilchatam 7:7, Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz (Ten Minute Halacha: The Chuppah Part 2)
  22. Rama EH 31:2, Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Shoftim: Halacha 5), Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:12), HaNisuin Kihilchatam 7:30, Rabbi Eli Mansour
  23. The Aruch Hashulchan 31:8 comments that even though the kallah has a veil over her head to indicate that she accepts the ring whatever it is worth we should avoid such a shaylah by using a plain ring because of possible concerns.
  24. Ben Ish Chai Parashat Shoftim Halacha 8, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:16). Kuntres Chupa Vnesu'in (R' Meir Sender p. 9) quotes Rav Elyashiv as explaining the practice to use a silver ring instead of gold because of אין קטיגור נעשה סניגור.
  25. Mordechai Kiddushin 488, HaNisuin Kihilchatam 7:6, Otzar Haposkim 10: pg. 364
  26. Rav Eliyahu Ben Haim (How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony Part 2/2) 3:00
  27. Nisuin K’halacha 7:6. Rama 31:2 writes that if he gives her a ring that is copper and lies that it is gold there is a safek Kiddushin.
  28. Maharam Mintz 109, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot 1:7:17), HaNisuin Kihilchatam 7:23, Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz Ten Minute Halacha: The Chuppah Part 2), Rav Eliyahu Ben Haim (How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony Part 2/2) 3:30, Rabbi Eli Mansour.
  29. Rav in Pesachim 7a establishes that if someone uses chametz to effect kiddushin on Erev Pesach it is invalid. Rashi s.v. afilu understands that it is referring to the sixth hour, while Rabbenu Tam (Tosfot 6b s.v. mshesh) argues that we're discussing after chatzot. The Ramban (Milchamot Hashem 3a) and Ran (on Rif 3a) agree with the Tosfot, while the Rif and Rambam seem to agree with Rashi. Tosfot Kiddushin 58a s.v. alma is bothered why the Gemara Kiddushin implies that using something forbidden by the rabbis is a valid kiddushin while Pesachim invalidates the kiddushin. They answer that if it is a rabbinic prohibition that is connected to a biblical prohibition it is totally invalid, but if it isn't connected to a biblical prohibition then the kiddushin is valid. Tosfot Chullin 4b s.v. muter has a similar approach. Rosh Kiddushin 2:31 agrees. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 28:21 codifies this approach.
  30. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 28:21 writes that it is certainly a valid kiddushin. Biur Hagra 28:55* argues that according to Rashi 7a s.v. afilu and Rambam Ishut 5:1 it isn't a valid kiddushin. Bet Shmuel 28:52 wonders how anyone could hold that the kiddushin is valid since it is in violation of a rabbinic prohibition. Avnei Miluyim 28:54 addresses the Bet Shmuel's question.
  31. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 28:21 writes that it is a dispute if it is a valid kiddushin both if it is real chametz in the sixth hour or rabbinic chametz after midday. From the Bet Yosef it appears that the opinion he is considered about is the Ramban (Milchamot Hashem 3a) who says that any kiddushin with chametz during the sixth hour is partially valid to the degree that she may not get remarried without a get. Additionally, the Bet Yosef 28:21 is concerned for the opinion of the Baal Hameor who thinks that we don't follow Rav in Pesachim 7a altogether. Bet Shmuel 28:53 challenges Shulchan Aruch why he was concerned with the Baal Hameor but not concerned about his opinion regarding when it is biblical chametz after midday. He answers that the Baal Hameor himself would invalidate such a kiddushin. See Baal Hameor on 21b. Biur Hagra 28:55* disagrees with Shulchan Aruch that he isn't concerned for the opinion of the Ramban or Baal Hameor and holds that the kiddushin is invalid. This is the opinion of Rashi, Tosfot, Rosh, and Rambam.
  32. Pesachim 7a, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 28:21
  33. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Iggerot Moshe EH 3:18) writes that this practice is improper, for two reasons. First, it is a violation of the prohibition against imitating the practices of non-Jews. Secondly, conducting a double ring ceremony could lead to a fundamental misunderstanding of the entire construct of Kiddushin, as people will mistakenly think that the Kiddushin depends upon the transfer of rings from both the chattan to the kallah and the kallah to the chattan. Nevertheless, he concludes that the Kiddushin is still valid if this was done after the chattan already gave the ring and said the “harei at.” Rav Eliyahu Ben Haim (How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony Part 2/2) 7:35 agrees. See however, Rav Osher Weiss (Minchas Asher 1:71, 3:98) who believes that this Kiddushin would be invalid. Rabbi Eli Mansour writes that if the kallah also wishes to give a ring to the chattan, this should be done after the chuppa, and not as part of the ceremony. Regarding the general halacha when it comes to men wearing wedding bands, see Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz (Ten Minute Halacha: Men Wearing Wedding Bands).
  34. Nitai Gavriel (Nesuin 15:5). One of his sources is Shulchan Haezer vol. 2 pg. 136a who says that the minhag is for the chattan to remove any money from his pocket to be reminscient of the day of death. Different explanations are given for this. Rav Soloveitchik (Nefesh Harav pg. 256) explained that this practice is a zecher lachurban. This is based on the Mishna in Sota 49a which speaks of a certain rabbinic decree in the times of the Roman empire to ban the kallah and chattan from wearing certain crowns in order to minimize our feelings of joy.
  35. Rav Eliyahu Ben Haim (Rav Eliyahu Ben Haim (How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony Part 2/2) ) 6:00
  36. Halachically Speaking Vol 4 Issue 12 quoting Rav Yisrael Belsky
  37. Beer Heitev EH 26:4 quoting the Reem and Knesset HaGedola. See also Tosfot Ketubot 2a s.v. LeYom.
  38. Rav Schachter Ketubot shiur 54 (min 30-7) said that it is recommended to get married during the day, but during the winter it is impractical and personally his wedding (officiated by Rav Moshe Feinstein) was during the winter and during the night.
  39. * This is based on the Mishna Makkot 5b which establishes that if there is a group of onlookers of a case, they are all considered eidim for that case. If there are two relatives in that group of onlookers, then their eidus is passul because two relatives cannot be eidim together for a certain case. The Ritva (Makkot 6a d"h "Lemechzi") quotes some who hold that there is problem if family is present at the chuppa and there is no explicit designation of specific eidei Kiddushin. The eidim for Kiddushin are eidei kiyum, which means that their viewing of the act of Kiddushin is in itself the establishment of Kiddushin. Therefore, anyone that watches the Kiddushin process are considered eidim, which causes a problem when there are relatives in the room watching the Kiddushin. In order to resolve this problem, one can designate two specific eidim who are not relatives to the exclusion of all others in the room, thus avoiding any potential kerovim from becoming eidim and invalidating the Kiddushin. The Ritva himself disagrees with this opinion.
    • The Rosh Makkot 1:11 argues with this entire premise, and says that the only time that invalid eidim disqualify the group is when they are required to testify in court. However, by Kiddushin, there is no testimony in court, so there is no potential invalid witnesses in the first place. Thus, there is no requirement whatsoever to designate specific witnesses to the exclusion of others. This is based on the fact that he holds that eidei Kiddushin are eidei kiyum, and not eidei re’iya.
    Shulchan Aruch/Rambam do not quote the idea of yichud eidim at all, thus suggesting they hold like the Rosh that eidei Kiddushin are eidei kiyum, and the relatives that are onlooking the Kiddushin process do not invalidate the Kiddushin. However, the Shach C”M 36:8 says that the minhag is to designate specific eidim.
    • Nefesh HaRav (p. 261) quoting Rav Soloveitchik says that it is proper to specify edim but if one didn't the kiddushin is valid if there were other edim there. Nitai Gavriel (Nesuin vol. 1 20:5, p. 140) agrees and adds that it is a wise idea to specify edim so that they pay attention to watch the kiddushin. See Chatom Sofer EH 100 and Achiezer EH 27. See also From_The_Rabbi's_Desk_-_Wedding_Questions by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz.
  40. Pitchei Teshuva EH 31:5
  41. Rama EH 31:2, Nitai Gavriel (Nesuin v. 1, 20:10, p. 141)
  42. The Rambam's text (Hil' Ishut 3:23) reads והבדילנו נן העריות, and it is quoted in the Beit Yosef (34:1), but not Shulchan Aruch.
  43. The Peri Megadim (34:1) points out that the word את does not appear in Shulchan Aruch (34:1), though it does appear in the Gemara (Ketubot 7b), Tur, and all the Siddurim.
  44. The Ran (Ketubot 7b) quotes Rabbeinu Tam who took out the word נשואות, since this is only Erusin and not Nissuin. He brings Rav Hai Gaon who says that this is also the Minhag of the two Yeshivot in Bavel. The Hagahot Asheri (Ketubot 1:12) quotes the Mordechai in the name of R' Ephraim who says the Minhag is to say it. In Shulchan Aruch (34:1), Maran paskens to say it.
  45. The Ran (Ketubot 7b) quotes the Baal HaIttur that the proper text of the Beracha is בקידושין and not וקידושין. The mistake arose because in this case they're pronounced the same way and people confused the two. His opinion is quoted by the Beit Yosef (34:1) and incorporated into Shulchan Aruch. The Chelkat Mechokek (34:2) also quotes this opinion. The Rama writes that their Minhag is to say וקידושין.
  46. The Ramban (Ketubot 7b) says that in order for the conclusion of the Beracha to match the opening and because we're only doing Nissuin now and not Erusin, we should only conclude מקדש עמו ישראל and not add על ידי חופה וקידושין. He claims that Rav Hai Gaon also said the Minhag in the Bavli Yeshivot was not to and that he found a manuscript of the Rif with the words crossed out. The Ramban is quoted in the Rosh (1:12), Ran (ibid.), Tur (34:1), and Beit Yosef (ibid.). The Rambam also does not have those words, and the Shulchan Aruch also paskens that way. The Rama says the Minhag is to say it. It seems that many modern day Sephardic Siddurim (Kavannat HaLev, Birkat Rafael, Succat David) also have it.
  47. The Hagahot Maimoniot (Hil' Ishut 3:60) quotes the Hagahot of Rabbeinu Peretz on the Smak who says that Rabbeinu Yechiel MiParis would have the Chattan say the Beracha of לקדש האשה, based on the Yerushalmi Berachot 9:3.
  48. Like all Birkot HaMitzvah, the Beracha must be made before doing the Mitzvah (Pesachim 7b). The Rif (Sh"T 293) and Rambam (Hilchot Ishut 3:23) write that it would be a Bracha Levatala to make the Beracha after the Kiddushin. However, many Rishonim, including Rav Shererah Gaon (Tur 34:4), Tosafot beShem Rabbeinu Tam (Pesachim 7b), Rashba (Ketubot 7b), Raavad (ibid.), She'etot (16), Tosafot Rid (Ketubot 7a), Tosafot HaRosh (Pesachim 7b), Maggid Mishneh (who really agrees with the Rambam, but says the Minhag is not like him), and Ramach, hold that one should make the Beracha afterwards, as it's a Birkat HaShevach. Additionally, it's Teluya beDaat Acherim, meaning that it depends on the woman agreeing, so, if she doesn't, one just made a Beracha Levatala.
    • The Rosh (Ketubot 1:12) first brings the opinion of the Rif that one must make the Beracha before, but he then brings the latter opinion and doesn't explicitly take sides. On the other hand, In his Teshuvot (Klal 26) he explicitly sides with the Rif. The Korban Netanel (2) suggests that the Rosh must really hold like the Rif, but brought the latter opinion to indicate thar if one did forget to make the Beracha before the Kiddushin, there is what to rely on to make it afterwards. The Beit Shmuel (34:4) and Chelkat Mechokek (34:2) both assume like this, as well, though they make no reference to the Rosh.
    • The Beit Yosef (34:1b) assumes that the Rosh holds entirely Rif; therefore, since all three Amudei HaHoraah (pillars of halacha) agree, this is the position he writes in Shulchan Aruch (34:1). The Bach takes issue with the Beit Yosef's understanding of the Rosh, as the Rosh himself (later, in 1:17) brings the opinion of Rav Nissim Gaon that one can still make Birkat Erusin up until the Nissuin. The Chiddushei Hagahot (on that Beit Yosef, printed in the Shirat Devorah Tur) raises an important issue in Kllalei HaPesak. He refers to the Kllal brought by the Tur (CM 72) that when faced with a contradiction between the Piskei haRosh and the Teshuvot HaRosh, we follow the Pesakim, so the Shulchan Aruch should've taken this into account. However, the Beit Yosef himself doesn't agree to the rule (YD 169; 201), and it's not totally clear that the Rosh changed his mind in the Pesakim. Additionally, there is little to no practical ramification, as it would be a Machaloket Amudei Horaah of 2 vs. 1, where he would just pasken against the Rosh. See further Sh"t Rambam 101, Rambam Hilchot Berachot 5:5, Sh"t Tashbetz (2:27), Meiri (Pesachim 7b), and Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger (YD 19:1).
    • As referenced above, there are a number of Rishonim who were of the opinion that one may make the Birkat Erusin until the Nissuin, as the biblical permissibility of one to his wife accomplished through the Erusin has not yet ended, similar to one's ability to make Birkat HaMazon as long as the food has not been fully digested in his body. Those Rishonim include the Hagahot Maimoniot (Hil' Ishut 3, 60), Hagahot Asheri (Ketubot 1:12), Rav Nissim Gaon and Rabbeinu Yonah (quoted in the Rosh Ketubot 1:17, Tur 34), the Rivash (responsa 82), Mordechai (Ketubot 1:131), Rama (34:1). See Mishneh LeMelech (Hil' Ishut 3). As it does "look" like a Beracha Levatala, when one makes Birkat Erusin at Nissuin, some Rishonim (Sh"t HaRivash 88, R' Peretz quoted in Beit Yosef 34:3, See Darkei Moshe 34:6) suggest redoing the Maaseh Kiddushin. Others even say one should repeat the Beracha (Rabbeinu Nissim quoted in Beit Yosef 34:3, Kol Bo quoted in Darkei Moshe 34:6,7), especially if he did the original Kiddushin through a Shaliach. The former Rishonim said that would be a Beracha Levatala, and one should only say the Beracha without Shem uMalchut. The Rama (34:4) paskens like the Rivash.
  49. The Rama (34:1) writes that even though when one does a Mitzvah himself and not through a Shaliach he makes the Beracha himself, in order not to embarrass one who does not know how to make a Beracha, the Minhag developed that someone else makes the Beracha.
    • With regards to making Birkat Erusin via a Shaliach, See Tosafot Ketubot 7b and Tur 34:1 who says the Shaliach makes the Beracha. The Rambam (Hil' Ishut 3:23) says that either one may makes the Beracha. Shulchan Aruch (34:1) sounds like one makes the Beracha himself regardless, and there the Rama makes his above comment. See Magen Avraham OC 432:6, Meiri beginning of second Perek of Kiddushin, Darkei Moshe (34:7, 35:1, and 62:7).
  50. Rambam (Hil' Ishut 3:24), Maggid Mishneh (ibid.), Shulchan Aruch 34:2, Darkei Moshe 34:7. This is only true by Birkat Erusin, not Sheva Berachot
  51. The Masat Binyamin (responsa 90), student of the Rama, writes that it is obvious that chupa is ineffective before Kiddushin. The Bet Shmuel 64:6 adopts this view. The Mishna L’Melech (Ishut 10:2), however, argues because the Ramban (Kiddushin 10a s.v. veha), Rashba (s.v. iy), Ritva (s.v. iybaya) clearly hold that chupa is effective even if the Kiddushin only takes place afterwards. Rav Yohanatan Eibishitz in Bnei Ahuva (Ishut 10:2) answers for the Masat Binyamin, though he favors the opinion of the Mishna Lemelech. See further Pitchei Teshuva EH 61:1. Of interesting note is the Mordechai (Ketubot no. 132) who explains the text of the sheva brachot “chupa v’Kiddushin” to indicate that the order is of no consequence.
  52. Kiddushin 70a, Rashi s.v. sheina, Rivash 15, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:1
  53. Bet Shmuel 2:1
  54. Rama 2:1 quoting Ran
  55. Vayikra 21:7, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 6:1
  56. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 6:1, Bet Shmuel 6:2
  57. Rama E.H. 6:1
  58. Bet Shmuel 6:4 quotes a dispute between the Bach and Taz about a cohen who married a woman who received a get as a stringency. Bach holds they may not get married but after they did marry they do not have to get divorced, while Taz holds that they must get divorced. Bet Shmuel seems to favor Taz's opinion.
  59. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 6:6
  60. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 6:8
  61. Kiddushin 77a, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 7:12
  62. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 6:10
  63. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 6:8
  64. Bet Shmuel 7:42 quoting Bet Yosef 7:21. Piskei Din Yerushalayim (Dinei Mamonot Ubirurei Yahadut v. 6 pp. 234-235) from Rav Shalom Massas disagrees with Rav Avraham Dov Levine who was lenient and defends the Bet Yosef.
  65. Achiezer 3:28:4, Igrot Moshe EH 2:4, Yabia Omer EH 2:3. See Melamed Lhoil EH 3:8.
  66. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 4:5, 7:17
  67. Bet Shmuel 4:2 and 7:39
  68. Igrot Moshe EH 1:5 is strict because the isur of a daughter of a non-Jew and a Jewish mother to a kohen is deoritta. Even though they’re allowed to each other after the fact it isn’t allowed just because they’re civilly married. Shemesh Umagen EH 3:58 is lenient even if they were civilly married or even just living together for a while. He holds that the entire isur is derabbanan. Mishna Lmelech and Shaar Hamelech (cited by Pitchei Teshuva 4:3) hold it is an isur deoritta, while Rabbi Akiva Eiger (91, cited by Pitchei Teshuva 6:15) holds it is only derabbanan.
  69. Devarim 24:1-4, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 10:1
  70. Rama E.H. 10:1
  71. Chelkat Binyamin 6:28 quoting Rav Elyashiv (Kovetz Teshuvot 6:92)
  72. Yabia Omer 6:1, Meishiv Mishpat EH 1:28, Shma Shlomo 1:2. Rav Amar in Shma Shlomo 1:2 and Rav Mazuz make this point that we should only be lenient for Sephardim and not Ashkenazim. Rav Asher Weiss in Minchat Asher 3:92 writes that if there was a civil marriage which they ended with a get, she can still go back to the first marriage because that get was only a chumra. He isn’t concerned for the Rama in 6:1, 10:1, and 13:9. He seems to be lenient even for Ashkenazim in extenuating circumstances. Otzar Haposkim 13:45 quotes Bet Yitzchak 2:73 who writes that it is permitted for Ashkenazim only in a very big extenuating circumstance such as there’s a concern that he’s going to stop being religious.
  73. The Gemara Kiddushin 70a curses anyone who marries for money that his children will have bad character traits. Based on Rashi, the Rivash 15 writes that the gemara's curse only applies when the woman in question is forbidden to him and he wants to marry her nonetheless for her money. However, if she's otherwise permitted to him, it is permissible even if his intention is for money. Rama E.H. 2:1 codifies the Rivash.
  74. Rama E.H. 2:1 cites the Orchot Chaim who writes that a person shouldn't break a shidduch for money and should just be happy with whatever money they get as a dowry. Chelkat Mechokek 2:1 clarifies that although it is permitted to marry for money if she's permitted to him, it is forbidden to decide not to marry someone because they don't have money and delay getting married because of that. The Gra 2:6 disagrees and understands that the Orchot Chaim disagrees with the Rivash, and in fact would forbid getting married for money even to a woman he’s permitted to.
  75. Aruch Hashulchan 2:1 writes that there is nothing wrong with considering money as a factor as long as it isn’t the only factor. This is also evident in Gra 2:7 that if he would have married her anyway he is also allowed to consider the money. Rav Schachter (Mussar Shmooze on Dating min 3-6) explains that while Chazal say terrible things about someone who marries for money, if the shidduch is a good one, the fact that she has money isn’t something to hold against her. He cautions about the type of lifestyle you’re getting into if you marry into a rich family and how it might impact the marriage if it is so different from the lifestyle you’re used to.
  76. Rav Aryeh Leib Shteinman (K'ayal Tarog Shidduchin p. 8) relates that the Maharal of Prague attributed his success in Torah learning to the following incident. He was originally engaged to a woman and his prospective father-in-law promised a nice dowry that would enable him to continue learning Torah after his marriage. In those days, it was very common and customary to have large dowries for a son-in-law to be able to learn for some time after marriage. Shortly thereafter, the father-in-law’s business fell on hard times and it became clear that he couldn’t afford giving them a generous dowry. The Maharal reassured his father-in-law that he would marry her anyway as their honor was more important to him than money. Hashem rewarded this decision: One day when his wife was selling rolls in the market, a man left his coat there, which they found was filled with jewels. The man never returned to claim the coat and they were able to use the jewels to support the Maharal’s learning.
  77. Rama EH 2:1. Rama writes that anyone who fights over the dowry is considered getting married for money and receives all the curses Chazal said about one who marries for money. Chelkat Mechokek 2:1 explains that although Rivash wrote that it isn't considered marrying for money if she is permitted, that is only if there's no disputes. However, once he fights over the dowry even though she is permitted it is considered marrying for money. Gra 2:7 argues that in fact this part of the Rama represents the Orchot Chaim who disputes the Rivash. Rivash holds that marrying for money is only a problem if she's forbidden, while Orchot Chaim holds it is a problem even if she is permitted.
  78. Chelkat Mechokek 2:1, Bet Shmuel 2:2
  79. Pitchei Teshuva 2:1 citing Chatom Sofer
  80. Gemara Pesachim 49a, Rambam Isurei Biyah 21:31, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:8. Chavot Yair 70 tangentially writes that nowadays we don't have an am haaretz for these purposes. Pitchei Teshuva YD 217:16, EH 2:9 and Machasit Hashekel 415:1 cite the Chavot Yair. Mishna Brurah 415:2 quotes the Chavot Yair and qualifies it that if a person degrades mitzvot they are certainly in the category of am haaretz even today. Aruch Hashulchan EH 2:5 agrees.
    • The Sdei Chemed (Asifat Dinim, Maarechet Ishut, v. 4 p. 729, n. 36) quotes several achronim who assume unlike the Chavot Yair and wonders why. Firstly, he cites the Tzemech Tzedek 11 who writes that someone who knows one masechet isn't an am haaretz. He says we do have am haaretz today but we can allow an am haaretz to marry a bat kohen since it isn't clear that we have kohanim meyuchasim today. Ruach Chaim 2:3 also assumes we have am haaretz today. He says that it isn't advised and if he's asked he recommends against but doesn't say it is forbidden. China Vchisda v. 2 p. 228c s.v. heneh disagrees with the Chavot Yair because he didn't have any proofs. He also notes that a chalala doesn't have the status of a bat kohen for this discussion. Lastly, Yemey Shlomo Isurei Biya 21 also assumes we have am haaretz today.
  81. Pesachim 49a, Rambam Isurei Biyah 21:32, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:6. Taz 2:3 derives from Rashi 49b s.v. am that if she values torah and would want her husband to learn Torah, then it is permitted to marry her. Birkei Yosef 2:4 extends this further to where she doesn't value Torah but allows him to learn because she comes from a wealthy family.
  82. Bet Yosef cites three views on the topic:
    • Rashi and Ramah hold that everyone should check into the lineage of their potential spouse before getting married to ensure that they're Jewish and not forbidden to marry.
    • Rabbenu Tam and Rambam argue that it isn't absolutely necessary. Rather there is an assumption that all families are permitted unless there was reason for suspicion. Only kohanim must check into the families of potential spouses before getting married because there are more prohibited marriages for kohanim.
    • Tur suggests that perhaps even kohanim do not need to check the lineage of their potential spouse, but has reservations about this.
    • Halacha: Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:2 codifies the opinion of Rambam.
  83. Otzar Haposkim 2:5 quotes Eretz Tzvi and Aruch Hashulchan who are strict that a cohen should check the lineage of his potential spouse to know that she is permitted to a cohen. It also quotes Imrei Dovid who writes that it is proper for a cohen to be strict but technically speaking it is possible to be lenient. Elef Lecha Shlomo 15 and Chazon Ish agree. Elef Lecha Shlomo 14 is lenient for a cohen to marry an orphan girl about whom nothing is known. One of his reasons to be lenient is Maharashdam 235 who writes that we're more lenient today since we don't know that our cohanim are certain cohanim. [Maharchash in Torat Chaim 3:54 notes that Maharsham 235's proof from Rivash 94 isn't a proof at all. Rivash only said that our cohanim today aren't certain cohanim and there's no unique penalty for cursing a cohen any more than anyone else. But there is no general statement that cohanim today aren’t certain cohanim.]
  84. Bet Shmuel 2:3 cites Maggid Mishna who has two interpretations of the Rambam with the practical application being whether it is necessary to check lineage before marriage. Bet Shmuel explains that even the interpretation that is strict if people don't know this family. He proves this from siman 3:1.
  85. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:2. Bet Shmuel 2:4 writes that a kohen who is brazen isn't suspected unless he is brazen and fights.
  86. Otzar Haposkim 2/l7 quotes Aruch Hashulchan 2:15 who writes (based on Yam Shel Shlomo) that unfortunately nowadays it is common that families fight and there is no one to reproach them. Therefore, it isn't a concern of lineage if they're fighting or someone is brazen.
  87. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:2
  88. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 2:2. Bet Shmuel 2:5 clarifies that the suspicion only exists if he has all these bad traits and not just one of them. Hagah on Gra 2:14 argues with Bet Shmuel.
  89. Bet Shmuel 1:21 writes that the reason for Rabbenu Gershom's institution was to avoid fighting between cowives.
  90. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 1:10 based on Rashba
  91. Darkei Moshe cited by Bet Shmuel 1:21 and Pitchei Teshuva 1:19 quoting Maharam Alashkar
  92. Pitchei Teshuva 1:19 quotes Shvut Yakov who proves from Ran, Mordechai, Maharam, and Ravyah that it had no expiration date. He also quotes this from Maharshal.
  93. Pitchei Teshuva 1:19 quoting Maharam Alashkar
  94. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 1:9. Chelkat Mechokek 1:15 quotes Nemukei Yosef who explains that since her understanding was when they got married that he was not going to marry another wife, he may not do so without her permission.
  95. Otzar Haposkim 1:10:6 quotes Birkat Retzeh 35 about a get that stipulated that it was only valid to permit her to remarry after 30 years. He rules that the man may not remarry either after giving such a get.
  96. Otzar Haposkim 1:10:5 quoting Birkat Ratzeh 34 that a get given against her will is invalid according to the Maharam Mintz and that was part of Takanat Rabbenu Gershom. Therefore, it is forbidden for him to get remarried after giving such a get.
  97. Chelkat Mechokek 1:16 writes that the minhag is to require heter meah rabbanim in these cases even though the Rama didn't mention it. Bet Shmuel 1:23 agrees. Pitchei Teshuva 1:16 discusses the details of heter meah rabbanim.
  98. Pitchei Teshuva 1:10:7 quotes Chatom Sofer and Shevut Yakov as holding that the minhag is to require a heter meah rabbanim even when the marriage was forbidden. Chesed L'alafim holds it is unnecessary. Imrei Yosher adds that if it was an isur karet to begin with it doesn't need a heter meah rabbanim.
  99. Igrot Moshe EH 4:3. There is a letter signed by 20 dayanim across North America Adar 7 5777 confirming that it is normative practice to follow this Igrot Moshe.
  100. Bet Shmuel 1:23
  101. Ketubot 23b, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 3:1
  102. Ramach on Rambam Isurei Biyah 20:1, Rama E.H. 3:1
  103. Birkei Yosef 3:1 cited by Otzar Haposkim 3:1:1
  104. Ketubot 25b, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 3:2
  105. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 3:2. Bet Shmuel 3:7 notes that this is the opinion of Rambam and Tosfot that he is trusted even if it is known that he is the father. Ramban, however, argues and only trusts the father in the case where it is not known that he is the father, since he could have said that he isn’t the father and is just an unrelated single witness.
  106. Rambam Isurei Biyah 20:2, Bet Yosef 3:2
  107. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 3:2. Chelkat Mechokek 3:5 and Bet Shmuel 3:8 note that according to the Rashba and Raah if the person wrote “I so-and-so the cohen” and it was signed by witnesses, the document is a proof from the Torah. It is only a rabbinic proof if the witnesses wrote the document. For Rambam and Shulchan Aruch, however, there is no distinction and in either case it is only a rabbinic proof.
  108. Rama 3:2 codifies Ran who writes that if a person signed that he was a cohen it is a proof even though there are no other witnesses on it because it is as though he was simply telling a story (masiach lifi tumo). Chelkat Mechokek 3:6 and Bet Shmuel 3:9 limit that to Eretz Yisrael where a person is not trusted to say that he is a cohen because they have trumah derabbanan there. But in the diaspora it could be that he signed that he was a cohen because they gave him the first aliya based on his own testimony.
  109. Rambam Isurei Biyah 20, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 3:6. Chelkat Mechokek 3:7 suggests that Rashbash argues with this Rambam.
  110. Shulchan Aruch E.H. 3:7
  111. Otzar Haposkim 3:9:54 writes that it is obvious that the child is only not a cohen as a chumra not a kula.
  112. Rama 3:9 based on Shmuel in Yevamot 100a. Chelkat Mechokek 3:12 asks why the child isn’t assumed to be from the marriage because of the principle the a woman is more likely to have relations with her husband than outside marriage (‘’rov beiylot achar habaal’’). Bet Shmuel 3:16 answers that the principle is only relevant when she is married to assume that the child is from her husband and not adultery. But when she had relations before marriage there is no such principle.
  113. Chelkat Mechokek 3:12. Bet Shmuel 3:16 writes that the Chelkat Mechokek’s application is not clear. Otzar Haposkim 3:9:53 quotes Atzei Arazim who argues with Chelkat Mechokek since there is a principle in this case that the child is more likely from marriage than outside marriage. Therefore, according to this approach, the child is a cohen.
  114. Rama 3:9. Chelkat Mechokek 3:13 adds that the father admits that he was with her and the mother doesn’t say that she was with other people. Pitchei Teshuva 3:11 quotes Bet Shmuel 4:40 that we should be concerned that she had relations with non-cohanim and establishes this Rama to be where there was no cohanim in the vicinity. However, Knesset Yechezkel answers justifies Rama even when there are yisraelim around. Otzar Haposkim 3:56 quotes Peni Moshe who answers that this case wasn’t discussing a woman who admitted that she had relations with a mamzer, but a woman who one time had relations with a cohen outside marriage. There isn’t a concern that she also had relations with someone else.
  115. Chelkat Mechokek 3:13. See Otzar Haposkim 3:50 about a dispute in the rishonim if the mother is trusted to say her child is a cohen if she is certain.
  116. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 19) quotes Avnei Tzedek who is lenient since some editions of Rav Yehuda Hachasid don’t say this prohibition at all and even those who do it isn’t clear if it was just for his descendants or all Jews. Another reason he is lenient is that the prohibition is only when the parents arrange the marriage but not if the children decide to marry.
  117. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 19) quoting Mekor Chesed, Tzemech Tzedek, and Sdei Chemed
  118. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 19) quoting Heshiv Moshe
  119. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 19) quoting China Vchisda
  120. Otzar Haposkim 2:19 quoting Avnei Tzedek, Rav Chaim Palagi, and Shulchan Haezer as lenient. Sdei Chemed argues that it is based on ayin hara and applies equally to women.
  121. Pitchei Teshuva 2:7
  122. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 20) quoting Arizal and Divrei Chayim
  123. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 3) quoting Chida on Sefer Hachasidim n. 477
  124. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 3) quoting Maharil 17
  125. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 3) quoting Even Harosha. In n. 4 Tirosh Vyitzhar is quoted as holding that if he doesn't call his wife by her name and instead by rebbetzin it is fine even if her name is like his mother's name.
  126. Nodeh Beyehuda 2:79 cited by Pitchei Teshuva YD 116:6, Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 5) quotes Shev Yakov who agrees.
  127. Pitchei Teshuva 2:7 quotes that the Chatom Sofer switched someone's name to avoid this issue. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 12) quotes poskim who allowed changing the name but Rav Chaim Palagi advised against it.
  128. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 12) quotes that Levushei Mordechai wrote that the minhag is to add a name thirty days before the tenayim. However, Zichron Yehuda holds that adding a name doesn't work. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 13) quotes that Tzemech Tzedek agrees with Levushei Mordechai. He holds that they should add a name specifically to the daughter-in-law and not the mother-in-law. Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Parshat Beresheet 5783 min 35) said that even though strictly speaking it is permitted for a son-in-law and father-in-law to have the same name, but the minhag is to add another name to the son-in-law.
  129. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 1) quoting Sheilat Shalom, Maharsham, Makor Chesed, and Zichron Yehuda. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 10) quotes Sdei Chemed and Pri Hasadeh who are lenient since there is no ayin hara.
  130. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 9) quotes China Vchisda who is lenient and Sdei Chemed who is strict.
  131. Pitchei Teshuva 2:7 quoting Chatom Sofer is lenient in order to marry into a Torah family as long as the names of the father-in-law, son-in-law, and son-in-law's son-in-law aren't the same.
  132. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 8) quoting Shem Aryeh, Bet Yitzchak, Torat Chesed, and others. See Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 6) quoting Maharsham 5:28 who was lenient when the father-in-law, son-in-law, and son-in-law's son-in-law's names were all the same except they were different in the second name. That leniency was agreed upon by Imrei Esh, Haflah, and Shem Aryeh.
  133. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 8) quoting Sdei Chemed
  134. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 8) quoting Ohel Yehoshua
  135. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 8) quoting Tzemech Tzedek
  136. Chachmat Adam 123:13 cited by Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 6). Otzar Haposkim quotes several poskim who agree and some who disagree with this leniency.
  137. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 14) quoting Avnei Tzedek
  138. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 16) quoting Chatom Sofer and Shem Aryeh. However, Yosef Ometz and Sdei Chemed writes that a person should alert the couple for the wellbeing of their marriage.
  139. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 22) quoting Shivyim Temarim
  140. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 21) quotes that Maaseh Ish was concerned about this, but Sdei Chemed questioned this extension of Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid.
  141. Tzvat Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid n. 25
  142. Nodeh Beyehuda 2:79. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 23) quotes Mekor Chesed who answers the Nodeh Beyehuda's questions.
  143. Otzar Haposkim (siman 2, Tzvat R' Yehuda Hachasid n. 26) quotes that Tzemech Tzedek married off a son and daughter to a daughter and son in the same family, but Knesset Hagedola was concerned even about this.