Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the qualifications necessary for performing marriages and divorces. Due to their intricate nature and profound impact on the future lineage of multiple families, extra training and caution are required beyond standard Rabbinic expertise.

Rav Yehuda, quoting Shmuel, asserts: "Anyone who does not know the nature of bills of divorce and betrothals should have no dealings in them," highlighting the potential for grave consequences resulting from ignorance in this area. Rabbi Assi, citing Rabbi Yochanan, adds: "And they are more difficult than the generation of the Flood."

Ben Yehoyada (ibid) and Be'er Mayyim Chayyim (Shemos 22:4) express a similar sentiment. This statement can also be interpreted metaphorically. Divorce involves separation and rejection, while marriage is a conscious choice to establish a connection. In matters of morality and practices, people often believe they can discern what they should embrace and what they should distance themselves from. However, this too requires wisdom and experience. Hence, this statement can apply to all of us. Prior to determining what is worth attaching ourselves to and what requires detachment, we should become well-versed in the "nature of divorce and marriage." This means comprehending the far-reaching consequences and implications of the choices we make in both directions.

Sources:

- Talmud Bavli, Yevamos, 114a

- Ben Yehoyada commentary on Talmud Bavli, Yevamos, 114a

- Be'er Mayyim Chayyim commentary on Shemos, 22:4

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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