Monday, September 10, 2007

Daf Yomi Ketubot 16b-17a: Chut Shel Chesed

From my translation of the Rif:
בית שמאי אומרים כלה כמות שהיא
ובית הלל אומרים כלה נאה וחסודה
The Sages learnt {in a brayta}: How do we dance before the bride?
Bet Shammai say: {Ketubot 17a} The bride as she is.
And Bet Hillel say: Beautiful and graceful bride.
Thus, they danced before the bride while singing her praises.

What is the definition of chasuda? Morfix defines it as demure, modest, god-fearing (female).

Rashi notes on chasuda that chut shel chesed mashuch aleha. Elsewhere, this has been defined as loving-kindness, but here, it seems that it means something else -- that is, a quality of beauty such that she can be described as chasuda. Thus, we can learn what chut shel chesed means from here. Grace seems an appropriate translation. Demure also looks good. Or charming.

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