What is a Ketubah
Introduction
A Ketubah is a contractual document integral to a Jewish wedding ceremony. Traditionally, it lays out the commitment of the groom to his soon-to-be wife: emotional and financial.The Ketubah is signed by two witnesses before the wedding ceremony occurs. This signing ceremony is typically done before a small group of close family and friends and then later read aloud by the Rabbi or Officiant and formally presented during the main wedding ceremony.
In this post, we’ll review the purpose of the Ketubah, how the traditon has been modified and adapted for couples’ needs, provide examples of modern and unique art designs and include some tips to consider when shopping for a Ketubah.
What is a Ketubah?
The Ketubah is a document, adorned by artwork, used in Jewish wedding ceremonies. When used in the Orthodox tradition, the Ketubah text, written in Aramaic, outlines the minimum requirement the husband guaratees to his wife including a monetary wedding gift, funds for the wife should the marriage be terminated, as well as conjugal relations. The historical purpose of the Ketubah was to protect the woman, with the idea that it would make the husband think twice before ending the union. The Conservative text includes a special clause (The Leiberman Clause) to provide further protection for women whose husbands refuse to grant a religious divorce. In it, either bride or groom can summon the other to the Rabbinic court who then precides in the decision to dissolve the marriage. For more secular, interfaith or same sex couples, this ketubah text does not reflect their marital union and therefore many other text options now exist and in many languages. Often these texts focus on the couples’ love and hopes for their future. While the original purpose has evolved, the same wedding tradition continues on; having ones’ commitment laid out in text, adorned by unique artwork and witnessed by close friends.
No matter which version a couple chooses, this wedding tradition allows the couple to keep a beautiful piece of artwork that commemorates such an important life cycle event.
Examples of Ketubah artwork
Custom Ketubah papercut designed for couple who got married under a beautiful oak tree in Calistoga, California.
Custom Ketubah painting designed for couple in Toronto. Imagery includes the waterfall where they got engaged, their family cottage, family heirloom shabbat candle sticks and the stained glass windows from the synagogue of their wedding ceremony.
Ketubah print of stylized roses on archival paper
5 Tips for chosing your Ketubah text and Artwork
1) First speak with your Officiant. Most Rabbis often have specific requirements of texts they deem appropriate for your specific needs, be it religious or otherwise.
2) If choosing a text other than Orthodox or Conservative, think of your union as a couple and what you both deem as key components for your growth together: support, individuality, respect, tradition, family. These can guide the vows included in the text.
3) Think about what language(s) you want: Hebrew, Hebrew and English, English, etc.
4) Research imagery, artworks and styles that you are both drawn to (eg: abstract, representational, judaica, monochromatic, bright colours, art deco). This will give you some focus before you begin your search/design phase.
5) Discuss with your partner if there are any specific symbols, stories, quotes, personality traits that you want to include in the design? These can be a creative starting point to design a unique customized artwork that speaks to and about you as a couple.
Closing
The tradition of a wedding Ketubah is a beautiful custom that provides couples with an opportunity to commemorate their love of today with a unique piece of artwork for years to come.
For more examples of modern and unique Ketubah designs, click on Custom Ketubah Artwork and Ketubah Prints from the main menu.