Kesher Talk

The Jewish marriage contract (the kesubah) must be dated on the date of actual wedding. If it is dated before or after, it is not valid. As we know, the Jewish day begins at night. There is, however, a doubt amonst our sages as to when exactly night begins. Does it begin at sunset, or does it begin at nightfall, which is about an hour later. This period between sunset and nightfall has therefore become a period of doubt in Jewish law. We are always stringent with regards to it. On Shabbas, for example, we begin Shabbas at sunset, but end it at nightfall - just in case.

... If you were to get married in that period, we would not know which date to put on the ketubah. And we are concerned that by having a guess and getting it wrong, we would invalidate the contract and hence the marriage. To be safe, we do not marry at that time.

posted by Howard @ 4/09/2002 01:02:25 PM