Kiddushin, Daf Bet, Part 5
Introduction
Now the Talmud asks why the mishnah uses the word ways instead of things.
מ"ט תני שלוש משום דרכים ניתני דברים וניתני שלושה משום דקבעי למיתני ביאה וביאה איקרי דרך דכתיב ודרך גבר בעלמה כן דרך אשה מנאפת (משלי ל,יט-כ)
Now, why does it teach shalosh? Because [of the word] derakhim [ways]!
Then let it teach devarim [things] and sheloshah?
Because it wishes to teach intercourse, and intercourse is called a way, as it is written, And the way of a man with a young woman. . . Such is the way of an adulterous woman (Proverbs 30:19-20).
The Talmud asks why the mishnah uses the word derekh which means way and not devar which would mean thing. The answer is that intercourse is a way not a thing.
הא תינח ביאה כסף ושטר מאי איכא למימר משום ביאה ותני תרתי אטו חדא הנך נמי צורך ביאה נינהו
This makes sense with regard to intercourse; but what can you say about money and document? [They are taught as ways ] on account of intercourse.
And are two taught on account of one? These too are for the sake of intercourse.
Intercourse is a way not a thing. But the other two means to affect betrothal money and document are things. And it would not make sense for the mishnah to use the word way that is appropriate for only one out of the three means listed in the mishnah.
The resolution is that money and deed are really given to the woman as a prelude to intercourse. Therefore, they are in a sense subservient to intercourse and the word ways is used, not things.