Wenn man seine Tochter heiratet, ohne anzugeben [wie viel er ihr geben wird], darf er ihr nicht weniger als fünfzig zuz geben. Wenn er vorschreibt, sie "nackt" zu heiraten, darf der Ehemann nicht sagen: "Wenn ich sie in mein Haus bringe, werde ich sie in meine Gewänder kleiden" (dh in die Gewänder, die ich für sie bereitstellen werde), aber er muss sie kleiden, solange sie noch im Haus ihres Vaters ist. Ebenso darf einer [dh der Wohltätigkeitsaufseher], der eine Waise heiratet, ihr nicht weniger als fünfzig zuz geben. Wenn sich (Geldmittel) in der "Tasche" (der Nächstenliebe) befinden, stellen sie sie gemäß ihrer Ehre zur Verfügung.
Bartenura on Mishnah Ketubot
המשיא את היתומה – collectors/managers of charity.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Ketubot
Introduction
This mishnah deals with a father who either does not specify an amount for his daughter’s dowry, or cuts a deal with the husband that the latter will accept her without a dowry.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Ketubot
אם יש בכיס – of charity.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Ketubot
If a man gives his daughter in marriage without specifying any conditions, he must give her not less than fifty zuz. If a man marries off his daughter and does not state how much dowry he is going to provide her, the husband has a right to claim from him a dowry worth 50 zuz. As we shall see in the end of the mishnah, this is the size of a small dowry that even an orphan would receive from charity.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Ketubot
If [the father] cut a deal [with the husband] that he would take her naked [i.e. without a dowry], the husband may not say “When I have taken her into my house I shall clothe her with clothes of my own”, rather he must provide her with clothing while she is still in her father’s house. The father can cut a deal with the husband that the husband shall marry the daughter without a dowry. The father is then not obligated to provide his daughter with anything, and all of the responsibility falls on the husband’s back. The obligation to provide her with clothing begins already while she is in her father’s house. The husband cannot wait for her to arrive at his home, rather he must send money or clothing to the father so that she will have what to wear for the journey.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Ketubot
Similarly if an orphan is given in marriage she must be given not less than fifty zuz. If [charity] funds are available she is to be provided in accordance with the dignity of her position. Even a poor orphan receives a dowry of 50 zuz. Furthermore, if there is extra money in the charity fund, she is entitled to more, depending on her social status. This might refer to an orphan from a respectable, perhaps once-rich family.
