The Ketubah

The Ketubah 

By Jamie Shear

The Ketubah is the Jewish marriage contract.  It stipulates the obligations and responsibilities that the groom assumes towards the bride at the start of their marriage.

A Ketubah is an ancient version of a pre-nuptial agreement in which a specified monetary sum was given to the woman in case the marriage was terminated by divorce or the husband’s death.  The Rabbis instituted this document in ancient times to protect women’s rights and prevent arbitrary divorce.

The earliest examples of the Ketubah were found on the Island of Elephantine, Egypt. Written in Aramaic on papyri, they date to the fifth century BCE.  Aramaic was the spoken language of the Jews then and to this day the document is written in this ancient language.  The Ketubah is a vital document to every Jewish married couple, as halacha, Jewish law, stipulates that a man cannot be with his wife for even one night without a Ketubah.

Under the chupah the groom presents the Ketubah to the bride and from that point on it is the wife’s possession.  The Ketubah does not have to accompany the couple on trips, but the wife must know where it is at all times.  If it gets lost or damaged to the extent that it becomes illegible, a new one must be written.

In medieval times, a tradition began to embellish the Ketubah text with various artistic motifs to emphasize the joyous occasion of marriage.  Illuminating Ketubahs began in Egypt and spread throughout North Africa and Europe in many communities in which Jews resided.  Styles varied as traditions and customs differed from place to place.  Ketubah embellishment lasted until the nineteenth century and then vanished from most Jewish communities.  Since the 1970s, there has been a resurgence of interest in both handmade illuminated Ketubahs as well as lithographs, which are becoming ever more popular.

The Ketubah text became more or less standardized in the Middle Ages, however there are variants from community to community, for instance there are differences between Ashkenazic and Sephardic texts.  Today there are significant differences between the Ketubah texts of Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Egalitarian communities. 

It is common practice to purchase a Ketubah print from a retailer and then have the personalized information penned in.  Prevention is key in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the joyous event of the wedding.  For instance, if something in the Ketubah text is not up to standard, regardless of its financial value, it may become disregarded for use.  It is therefore wise to consult the officiating Rabbi in all matters relating to the Ketubah well in advance of the wedding and prior to purchasing the Ketubah.  The Rabbi should even view the finished Ketubah before the wedding so that everyone is assured that things will go smoothly.

For an amazing exploration of Ketubot from around the world and throughout history, the Jewish National and University Library has a wonderful Ketubah collection.

The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library from Yale University also has an amazing Ketubah collection from medieval to modern periods within the catalogue entitled: Art of the Ketubah: Decorated Jewish Marriage Contracts. Presented here are Ketubahs from the year 1662 to 1947.