Geṭ (Bill of Divorce) (Gaster Hebrew MS 2108/9)

With a Good Sign

On the Sabbath, the twenty-fifth day of the month of Marheshvan, in the year five thousand six hundred and eighteen from the creation of the world November 14, 1857, according to the reckoning we use here in Modena, a city situated on the rivers Panaro, Secchia, and the Canal. The dear and exalted young man, Isaac, son of the honorable Nathaniel Mordecai Hayyim, son of the honorable Isaac Dominini May his Rock and Redeemer protect him, said to the modest and worthy maiden, Rachel, daughter of the generous benefactor Simcha Joseph Gallico Of blessed memory:

"Be my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel. With Heaven's help, I will work for, honor, provide for, and support you, in the manner of Jewish men who work for, honor, provide for, and support their wives in truth. I give you the marriage gift of your virginity, two hundred silver zuz An ancient currency specified in the Talmud as the minimum settlement for a marriage which is due to you by Torah law, as well as your food, clothing, necessities, and conjugal rights, according to the universal custom."

The bride, Rachel May she be blessed among women, consented and became his wife. This is the dowry she brought him from her father’s house: one thousand nine hundred and eighty scudi The local currency used in the Papal States and Modena and thirteen politi in Modena currency. This amount includes cash, household items, clothing, and jewelry belonging to the bride, as detailed in the separate document of conditions The tenaim, or pre-marital agreement made between them on the 29th of the month of Sivan. The groom, Isaac, took this amount upon himself as a standing debt.

The groom, Isaac, voluntarily added an additional one thousand five hundred scudi and thirteen politi from his own property. The total sum of the marriage contract, including the dowry and the addition, is four thousand three hundred and ninety scudi and sixteen politi of Modena currency, in addition to the two hundred silver zuz due to her by law.

The groom, Isaac, stated: "The responsibility and weight of this marriage contract, dowry, and addition, I take upon myself and my heirs after me. It shall be paid from the best of my property and possessions under the heavens, whether currently owned or acquired in the future. All my property, both real estate and movable goods, shall be security and collateral to pay this contract, dowry, and addition, even including the cloak on my shoulders, whether during my life or after my death, from this day and forever."

The groom, Isaac, accepted the responsibility and weight of this contract, dowry, and addition according to the strictness of all marriage contracts, dowries, and additions customary among the modest and worthy daughters of Israel, performed according to the regulations of our Sages of blessed memory. This is not to be regarded as a mere theoretical obligation or a legal formality. We have performed a symbolic act of acquisition The kinyan, usually done by grasping a handkerchief to signify a binding agreement from the groom, Isaac, son of Nathaniel Mordecai Hayyim, for the benefit of the bride, Rachel, daughter of the late Simcha Joseph Gallico, regarding everything written and explained above.

Everything is valid and established.

A small handwritten signature appears on the bottom left, beginning with the word "The humble," a common prefix for Jewish signatures, followed by the witness's name in cursive Hebrew script.

An intricate calligraphic monogram signature is located in the center. It features interlocking Hebrew letters contained within a decorative circular flourish, typical of Italian Jewish notary styles.

An intricate calligraphic monogram signature is positioned on the right side. It features elongated decorative strokes extending above and below the letters in a traditional Italian-Jewish style.