Sex, Marriage and Family in World Religions by Witte Green Browning

gives her a cover for her head and a girdle for her loins, and new shoes every holiday, and new clothing worth 50 zuz every year. . . He gives her a silver ma’ah for her needs, and she should eat with him every Sabbath evening. If he does not give her the silver ma’ah, she keeps her earnings.
    [ The Mishnah, translated by Michael S. Berger]
    30
    m i c h a e l s . b e r g e r
    Document 1–21
    t r a c t a t e k e t u b o t 5 : 6 – 7 [ o n c o n j u g a l d u t i e s ]
    The conjugal duty enjoined in the Torah is: men of independent means—every day; laborers—twice a week; ass-drivers—once a week; camel-drivers—once in thirty days; sailors—once in six months. This is the view of Rabbi Eliezer.
    The woman who rebels against her husband [and refuses to copulate], they reduce her marriage settlement seven dinars a week. Rabbi Judah says, seven half-dinars. How long does the reduction continue? Until the full amount of the marriage settlement is reached. . . . Rabbi Yose says, he may continue to diminish it, for she might receive an inheritance from another source and he can collect from that. Similarly, the man who rebels against his wife [and refuses to copulate], they add to her marriage settlement three dinars a week. Rabbi Judah says, three half-dinars.
    [ The Mishnah, translated by Michael S. Berger]
    Document 1–22
    t r a c t a t e k e t u b o t 7 : 6 [ o n g r o u n d s f o r d i v o r c e ]
    These are the women who are divorced without receiving their marriage settlement: one who transgresses the Law of Moses and “that of Judith” [that is, Jewish custom]. What is meant by the Law of Moses? She serves him food that is not tithed, she has intercourse with him during menstruation, she does not separate the priests’-share from the dough [before serving it], or she vows but does not fulfill the vow. And what is meant by “the Law of Judith”? She goes out and her hair is uncovered, she spins [wool] in the market, or speaks with all people.
    Abba Saul says, also one who curses his parents in front of him. . . .
    [ The Mishnah, translated by Michael S. Berger]
    Document 1–23
    t r a c t a t e g i t t i n 9 : 1 0 [ o n g r o u n d s f o r d i v o r c e ]
    The School of Shammai says: A man ought not divorce his wife unless he has found in her unchastity, as it says, “for he found in her an unseemly matter”
    (Deuteronomy 24:1). And the School of Hillel says: even if she spoiled his food. . .. Rabbi Akiva says: even if he found another woman more pleasant than she. . ..
    [ The Mishnah, translated by Michael S. Berger]
    Judaism 31
    Document 1–24
    t r a c t a t e y e v a m o t 1 4 : 1 [ o n g r o u n d s f o r d i v o r c e ]
    A woman is divorced with her consent or against her will, while the man divorces only willfully.
    [ The Mishnah, translated by Michael S. Berger]
    Document 1–25
    t r a c t a t e g i t t i n 9 : 3 , 2 : 5 [ o n t h e d i v o r c e d o c u m e n t ]
    The essence of the divorce document is: “Behold you are permitted to [marry]
    any man.” Rabbi Judah says: [in addition, the divorce document must include]
    “and this is your divorce document, your letter of separation . . . to go and marry any man you wish.”
    All are eligible to write the divorce document, even a deaf-mute, a mentally incapacitated person, and a minor. A woman may write her own divorce document . . . for the witnesses’ signature is what renders it [a] valid [document].
    [ The Mishnah, translated by Michael S. Berger]
    Document 1–26
    t r a c t a t e k i d d u s h i n 1 : 9 [ o n f a m i l i a l o b l i g a t i o n s ]
    All obligations which devolve upon the father (that is, circumcision; redemption of the firstborn son; teaching Torah, an occupation, and swimming; and arranging marriage) men are obligated to perform, and women are exempt.
    And all the obligations which devolve upon the child regarding his father (that is, showing awe and respect) both men and women are obligated to perform.
    [ The Mishnah,