Among the many things on the minds of those attempting to recover in Sandy’s wake, I would like to mention a Halachic point that I suspect few people have considered.

Halacha dictates that a married couple must be in constant possession of their Kesuba, and the wife should always be aware of its location. If the Kesuba ever becomes lost, stolen or destroyed; they are forbidden to even have Yichud together until a new one is inscribed.

Anyone whose house suffered significant damage and loss of their important documents, or even if they are merely unsure of their condition, should immediately contact a qualified Rav. It is not a difficult matter to create a replacement, but it should be a significant priority.

May Hashem restore any losses incurred.