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The popular term for a divorce document – a geṭ (and, in plural, giṭṭin) – is not a word with a biblical, or even a Hebrew source. It is apparently borrowed from the Syriac gitetu, which means a contract or document of any sort. From the Syriac the word became widely used in neighboring languages, including Hebrew and Aramaic. In the Talmud the word is used by the sages both in its original meaning – a contract of any sort – as well as the specific sefer keritut – a contract given by a man to his wife to end their marital relationship and effect a divorce.
The first Mishna in Massekhet Gittin opens with the rule that a person who is a messenger to bring a bill of divorce – a geṭ – from a community in the Diaspora to Israel must be able to attest that the document was written and signed in his presence.
One (an agent sent by the husband to the wife) who brings a get (bill of divorce) to Eretz Yisroel from abroad must say, “In my presence it was written, and in my presence, it was signed.” [The Gemora will explain the reason for this decree.]
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