Shulchan Arukh Even HaEzer · Siman 52

Shulchan Arukh Even HaEzer 52 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1One who lists monies for his son-in-law and -- the father -- went to another country or has none: [the daughter] can tell [her] husband, "I did not list the money for myself. Either marry me without dowry or release me with a bill [of divorce]." However, if she listed [money] for herself and cannot afford [it, then] she sits [without nisu'in ] until she will afford what she listed or die. About what are these words said? An adult. [In the case] of a minor, however, who listed [money] for herself, we force him to give a bill [of divorce], or he shall marry without dowry. Comment: And all this is [in the case] that the woman cannot afford what he father listed; if, however, she can afford [it], she's required to give what her father listed, and cannot say "marry or release" (the Fezzite's comments [to] chapter [Shenei] Dayyanei Gezerot, and Maimonidean responsum [at] the end of laws of sexuality). And all this is not taught unless [the situation is one] before he nisu'in -married her; after he nisu'in -married her, her certainly cannot betray his wife because they are not giving him what they listed for him: he is, rather, responsible for everything a man is responsible to his wife for (Mordechai comments [to] chapter Shenei Dayyanei Gezerot). One who listed [money] to give his daughter and thereafter says that he gave [it] to his daughter -- that doesn't help: rather, he must give [it] to the couple (Maharil chapter 136). See also above, chapter 2, that one should not be argumentative about dowry even though they listed it for him.

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