Ketubot 7: Virgins on Shabbat; Widows; Groom's Benediction

Today's daf is somewhat more straightforward than the other dapim of Ketubot thus far.  There are only three major topics covered, and each is straightforward.  Well, each is incredibly complex, but I am able to summarize the concepts without terrible brain strain.

First, the rabbis continue to debate about whether or not a couple where the kalah is a virgin can consummate their marriage on Shabbat.  Is this not inflicting a wound; is this not creating pain on a day dedicated to joy and menucha?  Different rabbis tell each other about their hometowns and about places that they have visited.  What is permitted in those places?  Who aligns himself with whose rulings?  We learn in a not that the halacha is lenient: intercourse is permitted on Shabbat for this kalah and chatan.  But it is discouraged in some communities.

One of the delights of Talmud study is witnessing leaders struggle through difference.  The rabbis were all concerned with the same things people worry about today: continuity, meaning, compliance, influence, etc.  They made decisions not based on what they believed was G-d's will based on the texts, but what they believed was best for their communities based on what they knew, what they learned, and what they found in the text.  The rabbis were wise but they were just people.  And they were limited, but they were brilliant.  In the midst of reading about the acquisition of women through intercourse, it is a relief to bump into the humanness of our ancient leaders.

So far the discussion in Ketubot has referred to virgins.  But what of widows and widowers?  It seems that remarriage was relatively common in the ancient Jewish world.  On the surface, it would seem that widows are treated very poorly in comparison with virgin kallot: they were allowed only one day rather than three days of preparation; they were allowed only three days instead of one week of further celebration; their ketubot noted their worth at 100 instead of 200 zuzim; etc.  

Today's daf introduces the groom's benediction in relation to a widow bride.  He is to recite a slightly shorter benediction to his bride.  It is to be recited at the wedding canopy.  The way that the Gemara describes this practice suggests that the status quo was to ignore the special status of a bride if she is not a virgin.  The rabbis are almost indignant about the necessity to treat widows with dignity as well.  

This moves us into a larger conversation about the chatan's benediction.  The Gemara describes what is to be said in the benediction; what form is followed.  Our notes teach us that Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Yemenite traditions are slightly different.  Each has it's own very similar form.  It is amazing to imagine people reciting the same words two thousand years ago as today when they step under the chuppah, wedding canopy.

We end the daf with a reference to the sheva brachot, the seven blessings that are recited numerous times over the course of the wedding week.  Certainly tomorrow's daf will enlighten us with more information about the sheva brachot.