תלמוד בבלי מסכת כתובות דף נו עמוד כ
It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Meir said, "Any husband who tries to lessen his wife's ketubah to be less that 200 [zuz], this is considered an illicit sexual relationship [and is therefore forbidden]." Rabbi Yosi says, "It's permitted [for the couple to agree to a different arrangement]."
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why would Rabbi Meir want to prohibit a lessening of the ketubah payment? Why would Rabbi Yosi want to allow individuals to negotiate?
2. What different assumptions are Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yosi making about the power dynamics between men and women?
3. In modern day ketubot, many women and men write in payments for the husband as well in the case of divorce or widowhood. What set of assumptions/values does this represent?
[From AJWS Education Module, "Women's Empowerment: Global Perspectives"]
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)