Laws of Marriage and Divorce (Ishut)
Core map
This domain moves through three stages: kiddushin (betrothal, which creates the marital bond), nissu'in (the chuppah and yichud that permit cohabitation), and gerushin (dissolution by get). A candidate must know the modes of acquisition: kesef (money or a ring of minimum value), shtar (a written document), and bi'ah (intercourse, permitted only in the halachically sanctioned framework). Also master the laws of eidut kiddushin (two valid witnesses), tenai b'kiddushin (conditions), kiddushei ta'ut (erroneous betrothal), and the categories of issurei kohanim and safek kiddushin.
Get and Ketubot
Know the formal requirements of a get: writing lishmah, the husband's agency (shaliach), delivery into the wife's domain, the zikkui mechanism, and the disqualifications of witnesses (relatives, women, minors). Understand ketubah obligations: the base sum, tosefet, lien on property, and conditions of forfeiture. Be fluent in yibbum and chalitzah.
Traps
- Confusing kesef value requirements with shtar validity.
- Treating a get delivered by a third party as invalid when proper agency was established.
- Ignoring that a woman's consent is required for kiddushin (kiddushei kefiah is invalid).
- Misidentifying who counts as a valid witness for a get.
Rule of thumb
If the question asks "is the marriage binding?" first ask: were there two valid witnesses, was the woman consenting, and was the mode properly performed? If any fails, consider safek or invalid status rather than assuming full marriage.