Kiddushin: Difference between revisions

# Kiddushin in theory could be accomplished in one of three ways: using money, a written document, or through marital relations.<Ref>Mishna Kiddushin 2a, Rambam (Ishut 1:2), Shulchan Aruch 26:4</ref> However, accomplishing Kiddushin through marital relations is a deplorable practice and is strictly forbidden.<ref>The Gemara Kiddushin 12b records Rav's insistence on not accomplishing Kiddushin with martial relations that he would give lashes to anyone who did such. Rashi (s.v. derav) and Rambam (Ishut 3:21) explain that the reason it is deplorable is because it is licentious. Shulchan Aruch EH 26:4 codifies this as halacha. </ref>

# The minhag is to accomplish Kiddushin with money as opposed to a written document. <ref>Rambam (Ishut 3:21). [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/786134/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Siddur_Kiddushin Rav Schachter in a shiur on yutorah ("Hilchos Siddur Kiddushin", min 4)] explained that the reason we do so is because we are registering our compliance with chazal and disagreement with the karaites who didn't accept Kiddushin through money. Nitai Gavriel (Nesuin v. 1, p. 24-5) offers kabbalistic reasons for why we do Kiddushin with money as opposed to a written document. </ref>