Chapter Overview
Until now, the Rambam has focused primarily on Kiddushin (Erusin), the act that creates the legal bond of marriage.
Chapter 10 moves to the next stage:
Nissuin, the completion of marriage.
The chapter discusses:
- The difference between Erusin and Nissuin
- The definition of Chuppah
- Sheva Berachot
- The Ketubah
- Wedding celebrations
- Marriage timing
- The obligations that arise once the time for marriage has arrived
The central theme is:
Kiddushin creates the bond; Nissuin creates the full married life.
- An Arusah Is Not Yet Fully Married
Even after Kiddushin:
- She is already his wife regarding many laws.
- Yet she still remains in her father’s home.
The Rabbis prohibited the groom from living with her there.
One who has relations with his arusah while she remains in her father’s house receives:
Makkat Mardut (Rabbinic lashes).
- What Creates Nissuin?
The Rambam defines Nissuin as:
Bringing the bride into his home and entering into seclusion with her for marriage.
This is called:
- Chuppah
- Kenisah
- Nissuin
These terms are essentially interchangeable in the Rambam’s presentation.
- Relations for the Purpose of Nissuin
If after Kiddushin he has relations with her specifically for the purpose of marriage:
The marriage is completed immediately.
From that moment she becomes:
A fully married wife in every respect.
- Chuppah Creates Marriage Even Without Relations
Once Chuppah occurs:
She is considered married.
Even if no marital relations have yet taken place.
The key requirement is:
She must be fit for relations.
- The Special Case of a Niddah
If the bride is a niddah:
Even if:
- Chuppah occurred
- Seclusion occurred
the marriage is not fully completed.
She remains in the status of:
Arusah.
until she becomes permitted.
This is one of the Rambam’s most famous positions concerning Chuppah.
- Sheva Berachot
Before Nissuin, the groom’s home is the setting for the blessings of marriage.
The Rambam lists the six marriage blessings.
Together with:
Borei Pri Hagafen
they form the familiar:
Sheva Berachot.
- Wine and Other Customs
If wine is available:
A cup of wine is used.
The wine blessing is recited first.
Some communities also had the custom of bringing:
Hadas (myrtle)
and reciting an additional blessing over it.
- A Minyan Is Required
Sheva Berachot require:
Ten free adult Jewish males.
The groom counts toward the ten.
Without a minyan:
The blessings are not recited.
- What Actually Creates Marriage?
The Rambam makes a critical distinction.
Sheva Berachot Alone
Do not create Nissuin.
Chuppah Alone
Does create Nissuin.
Thus:
- Blessings without Chuppah → still only Erusin.
- Chuppah without blessings → full Nissuin.
The blessings may be recited afterward.
- Niddah Marriage Ceremony
A woman should not undergo Nissuin while she is a niddah.
The blessings should wait until she becomes pure.
However, if the ceremony was performed improperly:
The blessings are not repeated later.
- The Ketubah Must Be Written First
Before Chuppah:
A Ketubah must be prepared.
Only afterward may the husband live with her.
The groom pays the scribe.
- Minimum Ketubah Amounts
Virgin (Betulah)
Minimum:
200 dinar.
Widow or Previously Married Woman (Be’ulah)
Minimum:
100 dinar.
This is called:
Ikkar Ketubah (the principal obligation).
He may add any amount he wishes.
- Additional Amounts
The husband may add:
- More money
- Large assets
- Even enormous sums
The Rambam states:
Even a loaf of gold.
Both the principal and extra commitments generally share the same legal status.
- Why Was the Ketubah Instituted?
The Rambam explains the classic reason:
So that divorce should not become easy in the husband’s eyes.
The financial obligation encourages seriousness and responsibility toward marriage.
- Ancient Currency Calculations
The Rambam explains how the Ketubah amounts were measured in the coinage of the Sages.
He calculates:
Betulah
Equivalent to:
Twenty-five silver dinar.
Be’ulah
Equivalent to:
Twelve and a half silver dinar.
He then discusses coin weights and standards.
- Marriage Without a Ketubah
A husband may not remain married even briefly without a valid Ketubah.
If:
- It was never written
- It was lost
- She waived it
- She sold it back
he must prepare a replacement.
The Rambam writes:
It is forbidden for a man to remain with his wife even for one hour without a Ketubah.
- Selling the Ketubah
If she sells rights to collect the Ketubah to another party:
No replacement Ketubah is needed.
Why?
The obligation still exists.
Only the future recipient has changed.
- Ketubah During Erusin
Suppose:
- They became engaged.
- A Ketubah was written.
- Nissuin never happened.
She remains:
An arusah.
A Ketubah does not create marriage.
If He Dies or Divorces During Erusin
If a Ketubah had been written:
She may collect the principal amount.
If none was written:
She receives nothing.
The full Rabbinic Ketubah system primarily applies after Nissuin.
- The Week of Rejoicing
The Sages required a husband marrying a virgin to celebrate with her:
Seven days.
During this period he should avoid ordinary work and focus on the marriage celebration.
Previously Married Woman
The minimum celebration period is:
Three days.
This applies whether the groom is:
- A bachelor
- A widower
- Multiple Weddings
A man may marry several wives on the same day.
One set of marriage blessings may cover all.
However:
Each wife receives her own required celebration period.
Because:
“Ein me’arvin simchah b’simchah.”
One joy should not be mixed with another.
- Proper Days for Marriage
Erusin may be performed on ordinary weekdays, even during periods of mourning such as:
Tishah B’Av.
Nissuin, however, is more restricted.
One should not marry:
- Friday
- Sunday
- Shabbat
- Chol HaMoed
for various Rabbinic reasons.
- Traditional Wedding Days
Where courts sat only Mondays and Thursdays:
Virgin
Married on:
Wednesday.
This allowed immediate access to court if issues regarding virginity arose.
Non-Virgin
Traditionally married on:
Thursday.
Allowing three celebratory days through Shabbat.
- Marrying a Young Girl
If a father married off his minor daughter and her husband wants Nissuin:
Either:
- The girl
- The father
may delay the marriage until she matures.
Although Nissuin may technically occur earlier:
The Rambam says it is not appropriate.
- Preparation Time Before Marriage
Once the groom formally demands Nissuin:
For a Na’arah
She receives:
Twelve months
to prepare.
For a Bogeret
Usually:
Twelve months from adulthood.
Sometimes only:
Thirty days.
depending on circumstances.
For a Previously Married Woman
Thirty days.
- The Groom Also Receives Time
Just as the bride receives time to prepare:
The groom receives equivalent preparation time.
The obligation works both ways.
- Support Obligations Begin
When the allotted preparation time expires:
If the marriage has not yet occurred because of him:
He becomes obligated to support her financially.
Even though Nissuin has not yet taken place.
Exceptions
He is not obligated if marriage cannot presently occur due to:
- His illness
- Her illness
- Her becoming a niddah
- Similar conditions preventing marriage
Since the delay is not his fault.
Key Concepts of Chapter 10
| Topic | Rambam’s Ruling |
| Kiddushin | Creates engagement |
| Chuppah | Creates Nissuin |
| Sheva Berachot | Required but do not create marriage |
| Niddah at Chuppah | Nissuin not completed |
| Minyan for Sheva Berachot | Ten adult free Jewish males |
| Betulah Ketubah | 200 dinar |
| Be’ulah Ketubah | 100 dinar |
| Living without Ketubah | Forbidden |
| Simchat Chatan V’Kallah | 7 days for betulah, 3 for be’ulah |
| Support after deadline | Husband becomes obligated |
Chapter Theme
Chapter 10 marks the transition from engagement to fully realized marriage. The Rambam defines Chuppah as the act that completes Nissuin, establishes the laws of Sheva Berachot and Ketubah, and outlines the social, financial, and celebratory obligations that transform a couple from merely betrothed into husband and wife. The chapter emphasizes that marriage is not only a legal acquisition but a covenant requiring public blessing, financial responsibility, preparation, and joy.