Ketubot

What is [the reference to] shakedu? [For] it has been taught: Why did they say that a maiden is married on the fourth day? 'Because if he had a claim as to virginity he could go early [next morning] to the court of justice. But let her be married on the first day in the week and if he had a claim as to virginity he could go early [on the morning of the second day in the week] to the court of justice? — The Sages watched over the interests of the daughters of Israel so that [the man] should prepare for the [wedding-]feast three days, the first day in the week, and the second day in the week, and the third day in the week, and on the fourth day he marries her. And from [the time of] danger and onwards the people made it a custom to marry on the third day and the Sages did not interfere with them. And on the second day [of the week] he shall not marry; and if on account of the constraint  it is allowed. And one separates the bridegroom from the bride on the nights of Sabbath at the beginning,  because he makes a wound. What [was the] danger? If I say that they  said, 'a maiden that gets married on the fourth day [of the week] shall be killed', [then how state] 'they made it a custom'? We should abolish it entirely! — Said Rabbah: [That] they said, 'a maiden that gets married on the fourth day [of the week] shall have the first sexual intercourse with the prefect.'  [You call] this danger? [Surely] this [is a case of] constraint!  — Because there are chaste women who would rather surrender themselves to death and [thus] come to danger. But let one expound to them  that [in a case of] constraint [it] is allowed?  — There are loose women  and there are also priestesses.  But [then] let one abolish it?  A decree  is likely to cease, and [therefore] we do not abolish an ordinance of the Rabbis on account of a decree. If so, on the third day he [the prefect] would also come and have intercourse [with the bride]? — Out of doubt he does not move himself. [It is stated above:] 'And on the second day [of the week] he shall not marry; and if on account of the constraint it is allowed.' What constraint [is referred to]? Shall I say [that it is] that which we have said?  There,  one calls it 'danger' 'and here, one calls it [mere] 'constraint'! And further, there [it states], 'they made it a custom', [whilst] here, 'it is allowed'!  — Said Raba: [it is that] they say 'a general has come to town.  In what case? If he comes and passes by,  let it be delayed!  — It is not necessary [to state this but] that he came and stayed. Let him, [then], marry on the third day [of the week]!  — His  vanguard arrived on the third day. And if you wish I may say: What is [the meaning of] 'on account of the constraint'? As it has been taught: If his bread was baked and his meat prepared and his wine mixed  and the father of the bridegroom  or the mother of the bride died,  they bring the dead [person] into a room and the bridegroom and the bride into the bridal chamber,