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Ketubah, Ketubot, Ketuba, Katubah, Katuba, no matter how you spell it, this is your Jewish Marriage contract. Ketubot are offered in several types of texts; Orthodox texts, Conservative texts, Reform texts, Interfaith texts, Gender Neutral texts, Anniversary texts, Nondenominational texts, Humanists tests, and even Create Your Own texts.
When picking out a type of text, you need to remember that each artist offers their own version of each text. You need to read through the texts carefully to make sure that you choose the most appropriate text that fits the two of you. If you are ever in doubt, you should refer back to your rabbi or cantor, or feel free to contact us to assist you in any way we can.
The following are brief descriptions of texts for Jewish weddings. Please remember that all artists use their own versions and you need to read carefully the texts that they offer for each Ketubah to make sure that you are choosing what is most appropriate for you.
Orthodox Text- The Traditional Aramaic or Orthodox text is a legal document written for the bride's protection and describes the financial obligations of the groom in the marriage and in the event of divorce or death. The English is rarely a translation, but a more modern verbiage describing their union.
The Translation of the Orthodox Text
On the ______day of the week, the _________day of the month ______ in the year five thousand seven hundred and ______ since the creation of the world, the era according to which we reckon here in the city of _________________ that ________ son of _________ said to this (virgin) _________daughter of _____.
"Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And I here present you with the marriage gift of (virgins), (two hundred) silver zuzim, which belongs to you, according the the law of Moses and Israel; and I will also give you your food, clothing and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to universal custom." And Miss_____, this (virgin) consented and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her (father's) house in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this ________, the said bridegroom accepted in the sum of (one hundred ) silver pieces, and ______ the bridegroom, consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of (one hundred) silver pieces, making in all (two hundred) silver pieces. And thus said __________, the bridegroom: "The responsibility of this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part of my property and possession that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage contract, of the trousseau, and of the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death, from the present day and forever." _______, the bridegroom, has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the trousseau and the additon made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additons to them made for the daughters of Israel, according to the institution of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document. We have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery (kinyan) between ______the son of _______, the bridegroom and _______ the daughter of _______ this (virgin), and we have used a garment legally fit for the purpose, to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and confirmed.
Attested to________________________ Witness
Attested to________________________ Witness
Conservative Text- The Conservative text is identical to the Orthodox version but has added the Lieberman Clause at the end of the Aramaic stating that the groom promises to give the bride a "Get" or divorce should she ask for one. Professor Saul Lieberman of the Theological Seminary put this Conservative modification forth in 1953. His concern at that point was that a Ketubah should be a viable legal document in American as well as Jewish courts. Supported by the Rabbinical Assembly (the professional association for Conservative rabbis) a Ketubah with the Lieberman Clause is generally the preferred document among Conservative rabbis today.
Translation of the Conservative Text with Lieberman Clause.
On the ______day of the week, the _________day of the month ______ in the year five thousand seven hundred and ______ since the creation of the world, the era according to which we reckon here in the city of _________________ that ________ son of _________ said to this (virgin) _________daughter of _____.
"Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And I here present you with the marriage gift of (virgins), (two hundred) silver zuzim, which belongs to you, according the the law of Moses and Israel; and I will also give you your food, clothing and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to universal custom." And Miss_____, this (virgin) consented and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her (father's) house in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this ________, the said bridegroom accepted in the sum of (one hundred ) silver pieces, and ______ the bridegroom, consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of (one hundred) silver pieces, making in all (two hundred) silver pieces. And thus said __________, the bridegroom: "The responsibility of this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part of my property and possession that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage contract, of the trousseau, and of the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death, from the present day and forever." _______, the bridegroom, has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the trousseau and the additon made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additons to them made for the daughters of Israel, according to the institution of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document. We have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery (kinyan) between ______the son of _______, the bridegroom and _______ the daughter of _______ this (virgin), and we have used a garment legally fit for the purpose, to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and confirmed.
And both together agreed that if this marriage shall ever be dissolved under civil law, then either husband or wife may invoke the authority of the Beth Din of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America or its duly authorized representatives, to decide what action by either spouse is then appropriate under Jewish matrimonial law; and if either spouse shall fail to honor the demand of the other or to carry out the decision of the Beth Din or its representative, then the other spouse may invoke any and all remedies available in civil law and equity to enforce compliance with the Beth Din's decision and this solemn abligaton.
Attested to________________________ Witness
Attested to________________________ Witness
Reform, Modern, Egalitarian Text- Reform, also called Modern or Egalitarian texts are written in Modern Hebrew and English and are usually egalitarian in nature. These texts usually talk about friendship, partnership and going through life together.
Interfaith Text- These texts are designed for interfaith couples and usually talk about building a home that will be respective of different heritages.
Anniversary Text- This is a great way to honor parents, grandparents or your special loved one with an Anniversary text. These texts usually talk about a life that has been shared and honors years of happiness.
Gender Neutral Text- These texts are written in Modern Hebrew and English and are gender neutral which works for homosexual couples or commitment vows/ Personalization: By having the artists fill in the names and dates in Hebrew and English, you will enjoy how
Secular Humanistic Text- This text is required by the Association of Humanistic Rabbis and the Leadership Conference of Secular and Humanistic Jews. There are two versions of the text: One is English only while the other is mostly English with a Hebrew Header. The Hebrew is a direct translation of the English text. Both texts are suitable for a marriage in which one of the partners in not Jewish.
Sephardic Text- The Sephardic text is the text required by most wedding officiates who are affiliated with the Sephardic movement. Those who belong to the Sephardic movement follow the customs of Spanish and Mediterranean Jewry. This text is based on wording from the Talmud Yerushalmi and is thus, written entirely in Aramaic. The text does not include an English portion.
Commitment Vows Text- Commitment Vows texts are written in Modern Hebrew and English. Each artist has written his or her own Commitment Vows text, so there is a fairly large degree of variation in the wording that appears on different Ketubah designs. In all cases, the English text is an exact translation of the Hebrew. Commitment Vows texts are also gender neutral and thus, are suitable for same-sex marriages or commitment ceremonies.
Blank- If you choose to write your own text or have some favorite wording, this could be the best option for you. You can order the artwork/Ketubah that you love, but you will order it blank. You can have your own calligrapher write your text or you can contact us for further pricing for a custom text. All artists have different pricing and will require you to have your text written so we can submit it to the artist and they can determine the fees. Please check out extra Custom Text pricing or contact for any questions you may have.
What is a Ketubah-
One of the most essential objects in a contemporary Jewish wedding ceremony is the Ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract. The government sanctions marriages by issuing marriage licenses; Jewish law has historically used the Ketubah in much the same way. In addition to serving a legal purpose, Ketubah (pl) have long been an expression of Jewish creativity. Ketubah literally means "written" or "writing", and came to refer to the written marriage contract that is signed and read as part of the Jewish wedding. Scholars are not exactly sure when Ketubah first surfaced, but they do know that the standard text of an Orthodox Ketubah was composed around 200 B.C.E. It was written in Aramaic, the secular language for the Jewish community at that time.
In 200 B.C.E., when Middle Eastern cultures were clearly patriarchal in nature, the language and concept inherent in a Ketubah was certainly innovative. Throughout Jewish history, when a woman got married, the Ketubah became her property and she held on to it dearly, as it served to protect her financially in case of divorce or death. It is essentially the first prenuptial agreement in history. The Ketubah was also created to protect the bride's ongoing rights in the marriage. It declares the wife's rights to food, clothing, and even sex throughout the course of the marriage.
Although the language of the original Ketubah may not always speak to the issues of today's couples, it was a great step forward at the time toward acknowledging women as human beings with real physical and financial needs.
How do I pick the right Ketubah text?
It is always a good idea to start with your Rabbi or officiant and ask what type of text he or she requires for your ceremony. Click on different artists and find styles that are suited to the both of you. Then you need to read the texts offered for your choices and choose the one that reflects the two of you. It's that simple!
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