Kesubah – explanation of the text, signed without understanding, version the groom did not want
Question
Shalom uVracha,What is the explanation of the entire Ashkenazic kesubah in Hebrew?If a groom signs the kesubah without understanding what is written in it, is that acceptable?Likewise, what is the halacha if the father-in-law brings one version of the kesubah, but the groom prefers the kesubah from his yeshiva, and out of respect he doesn’t ask and simply signs the one the father-in-law provided — is that acceptable? It does not invalidate, etc.?Thank you very much, Rabbi.
Answer
- It is important to note that the poskim rule not to actually use a translated kesubah. The translation is only to help understand its content. Translation of the kesubah:
On …, the Sabbath day, in the month of …, in the year five thousand seven hundred … since the creation of the world, according to the counting that we count here in …, the groom … son of … said to the bride … daughter of …: “Be my wife according to the law of Moshe and Israel. And I will work to support you, honor you, provide your sustenance and clothing, in the manner of Jewish men who faithfully do all these things. And I hereby obligate myself to give you … as is fitting, as well as food, clothing, and all your needs and your conjugal rights according to the way of the land.”
And Mrs. … consented and became his wife. The dowry that she brought from her father’s house, whether jewelry, clothing, household items, or bedding — the groom … accepted responsibility for, before us, in the amount of … silver pieces. The groom further undertook, from his own funds, to add another … silver pieces, making a total of … silver pieces.
And thus said … the groom before us: “The obligation of this kesubah, the dowry, and the addition, I accept upon myself and my heirs after me, from the best and choicest of my property and possessions under the heavens, that I have acquired and will acquire, whether with liability or without liability. All my property shall be bound and guaranteed to repay this kesubah, dowry, and addition — even the clothes upon me during my lifetime, and after my life — from now and forever. The obligation and severity of this kesubah, dowry, and addition, I accept upon myself in the same manner as all other kesubos and additions that are customary among the daughters of Israel, enacted by Chazal, not as an asmachta [a non-binding commitment made insincerely], and not like a sample contract written only for study or without intent. And we performed a formal act of acquisition with … son of … the groom before us, in favor of … daughter of … the bride before us, on everything written and detailed above, with a valid act of acquisition, and all is valid and confirmed.”
2. The groom obligates himself to everything written in the kesubah, even if he does not understand it.
3. Since he consented and signed the kesubah, for whatever reason he had, the kesubah is valid.
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