k'dat Moshe v'Yisrael

Hi,

When a man and woman wed, the man says to the woman that he wishes to marry her, "k'dat Moshe v'Yisrael," "according to the laws of Moses and Israel." We also include this language in the ketubah.

Some explain that this clause adds her obligations; the ketubah records the man's obligations to his wife, and this clause notes that those obligations depend upon her own compliance with the laws of Moshe and Yisrael.

Others suggest that this clause defines the acceptable modes of completing the marriage transaction. The man is declaring that he wishes to wed her, using transactions provided for in the laws of Moshe and Yisrael.

(Nachalat Shivah 12:18)

Have a great day,
Mordechai