The law of “Arev” teaches us the following law:
- That a person need not lose money in order to benefit.
- A Kidushin needs guarantors.
- Giving money on one’s say so is considered “benefit.”
- A woman will accept Kidushin although she receives no benefit.
- The laws of Kidushin are similar to the laws of business.
When a man tells a woman “you are Medkudeshes to half of me”;
- She is Mekudeshes, and the extra statement is meaningless.
- She is Mekudeshes, and he is telling her that he also wants to marry another wife.
- She is not Mekudeshes.
- She is Mekudeshes to half of him.
- He is asking her if half of her would like to be Mekudeshes to half of him.
When a man tells a woman “half of you is Medkudeshes to me”;
- Half of her is Mekudeshes to him, and he need only be Mekadesh the second half.
- The Kidushin automatically spreads to the other half, as well.
- The Kidushin spreads to the other half whenever she wants it to.
- She is not Mekudeshes.
- Her Kidushin status depends on whether she can survive without this half of her body.
The Gemara’s unresolved question of “I am being Mekadesh your two daughters to my two sons with this Pruta” depends on:
- Is it necessary that the Kidushin transaction involve a Pruta, or is it necessary for each of the people being married to give or receive a Pruta.
- Whether or not a father may serve as a Mekadesh for two daughters at the same time.
- Whether or not a father may serve as a Mekadesh for two sons at the same time.
- The circumstances under which a father may be Mekadesh his sons.
- Whether the sons and daughter are willing to have a father in law who won't spend more than a Pruta on his children.
Being Mekadesh a woman with silk is a good Kidushin when:
- The man didn’t specify its value.
- The man specified its value, and it is evaluated to be worth that amount.
- The man specified its value, and it is not worth that amount.
- Each answer is a subject of dispute in the Gemara.
- Answers A and B are subjects of dispute in the Gemara.