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What is a Ketubah

The Jewish Marriage Contract, called a Ketubah (spelled in a variety of ways including: Kettubah, Ketuba, Ktuba, Kituba, katubah, kattubah, katuba, kesubah and in the plural ketubot, katubot, kitubot and ketubahs), is an integral part of a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony and is rooted in Jewish history. The modern ketubah is a unique document in that it is a contract that outlines marital responsibilities and, at the same time, is set into an artful background. Your ketuba may be the first work of art that you select together as a couple. This is not always a simple task. After you have searched and finally chosen a ketubah that reflects a meeting of the minds, you can be happy and confident in your ability as a couple to work together and accomplish your future goals. So, open your minds to each other's observations and enjoy the journey that will bring you even closer at the end.
With many text choices and design decisions to make prior to buying a ketubah, questions may arise along the way.You can go to the menu bar at the top of the page and look at our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for answers. Of course, you should always feel free to contact us. You will be greeted by a warm and friendly person who will take the time to explain and clarify everything. No question is to too silly. Just ask. When you are done, you are sure to find the Ketubah that will suit both your taste and your budget.

The founders of Judaic Connection have been involved in the world of ketubot since 1977! We are experts at what we do and knowledgeable about all aspects of creating designs and providing couples with their perfectly suited ketubah. We have an awesome rapport with the ketubah artists that we represent and with the couples that use our services. Our commitment is to make this the easiest and most pleasant item on your wedding to-do list.

Traditional ketubahs             Orthodox ketubahs         Modern ketubahs          Contemporary ketubahs              

Conservative ketubahs         Reform ketubahs            Egalitarian ketubahs              Interfaith ketubahs               Gay Marriage ketubahs

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Ketubah Text Choices

It is very important that get the approval of your officiating clergy before selecting a text. The following brief descriptions will help clarify the different ketubah wording options:

Orthodox Text (aka Traditional Aramaic the Traditional Text)

This text was written during the Babylonian exile and delineates the husband's obligations toward his wife. It protect the woman's status and property in marriage and in the event of divorce or the husband's death or desertion. It is the text used by Orthodox congregations today and is universally recognized as "kosher". If you will be selecting this text, have your rabbi approve each artist's Aramaic text. There are some variations in spellings and you want to be sure it fulfills your rabbi's requirements. The English text that is offered is not a direct translation of the Aramaic so for each ketubah that you are considering be sure to read the English.     [close]

Conservative Text with Lieberman Clause

This text is the same as the Traditional Aramaic with the addition of a paragraph called the Lieberman Clause. This is a legally binding agreement that carries clout in contemporary courts of law stating that, in the event of a civil divorce, the couple agrees to abide by the decision of the Rabbinic Assembly concerning the Jewish divorce. The intention is to prevent the Gett (Jewish divorce) from becoming a bargaining tool, and without which the wife would be prevented from remarrying. The English text that is offered is not a direct translation of the Aramaic so for each ketubah that you are considering be sure to read the English.     [close]

Reform Text - (aka Egalitarian)

This text varies from artist to artist and is a beautifully written expression of love, devotion and commitment. The Hebrew is a direct translation of the English. Be sure to read the text that accompanies each ketubah that you are considering.     [close]

Interfaith Text

Interfaith texts are widely available and wording varies from artist to artist. In some instances there is a complete Hebrew translation of the text. In many cases, there are a few lines of Hebrew containing the Hebrew date, the place of the marriage and your names, followed by the vows in English. Though most officiants will allow you free reign to choose what you like, some have specific wording that they will approve, so please check first.     [close]

Commitment Vows Gender Neutral

Commitment vows are written to be suitable for same-gender unions and, in most cases, are appropriate for all commitment and marriage ceremonies. The wording varies from artist to artist so be sure to read each one that accompanies the artwork that you are interested in.     [close]

Anniversary

Married couples add meaning to their anniversary celebration with a beautiful ketubah commemorating their years together. Many of our artists offer thoughtful texts which reflect on this event. This is a GREAT gift to present to each other or to anyone having an anniversary.     [close]

All Faith English Only

Couples of all faiths are now including beautiful ketubah documents in their marriage ceremonies. These statements of love are a daily reminder of the marriage vows exchanged on that unforgettable day.     [close]

Spanish Vows

We are happy to be able to offer a wide selection of ketubot that are offered with a Spanish translation as a standard choice.     [close]

Sephardic

Many Sephardic communities require their own particular ketubah texts. Check with your rabbi to see if one that we offer is approved. Otherwise, a custom Sephardic text can usually be inserted into the artwork of your choice. Just ask us.     [close]

Secular Humanistic

The Association of Humanistic Rabbis and Leadership Conference of Secular and Humanistic Jews offers two texts and they are available in the artwork of several artists. One is all English and the other wording is also translated into Hebrew.     [close]

Write Your Own

If you fell in love with a ketubah design but prefer to use wording that is not offered by the artist, most ketubot can accommodate a custom text. For lithograph prints this involves hand-calligraphy. The price of a hand-written custom text depends on the particular artist and the number of words in your text. This option can add a few hundred dollars to the cost of your ketubah. For giclee prints, this can usually be accomplished with computer calligraphic lettering. Don't let that deter you - they look terrific and adding your own text is significantly less expensive.     [close]

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Traditional Aramaic Literal Translation

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 addition made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additions 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

Lieberman Clause

This paragraph, the Lieberman Clause, is added near the end of the above Traditional Aramaic text and is referred to as the Conservative with Lieberman Clause Text.
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 obligation.

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What is personalizing the ketubah?

You have the option to have the artist complete the blank spaces within the ketubah text including your names, the date and the location of your wedding in both Hebrew and English.

If the print is a lithograph, this is done by hand in matching or complementary calligraphy. In most cases the artists fill in their own ketubot. If the artist is unavailable, the ketubah will be filled in by a calligrapher experienced in matching that artist's lettering style.

On giclee prints, the personalizing is incorporated seamlessly into the digital text. We do have a few artists that use the giclee method to print the ketubah and then personalize it by hand since the text was reproduced from their own calligraphy.

Generally, there is an additional charge for personalizing a ketubah but some artists include it in their price. If you plan to have your rabbi or cantor do the fill-in be sure to ask them first if they are willing. Some prefer not to risk writing on the artwork. On the other hand, some clergy insist that the ketubah be filled in by hand at the wedding. It's always best to check.

PLEASE NOTE: Our artists offer the service of personalizing your ketubah. There are many different papers that ketubot are printed on and each artist is experienced at choosing the proper ink and pen type for their artwork. If you're having a rabbi fill in the blank spaces as a contract, we recommend using a medium ballpoint pen. If you are having your own calligrapher fill it in, please note that you and/or your own calligrapher must take full responsibility if any damage is done to the artwork.

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