Ketubah Text Templates
KETUBOT THROUGH THE AGES
Records of the first ketubah date back to 440 BCE, when it was introduced as a radically progressive document. Two thousand years later, this legal document, outlining a husband’s marital expectations towards his wife and obligations upon death or divorce, is still considered progressive among religious unions. Although the direct translation of Aramaic is technical in nature, it still represents an understanding of the value of partnership and the weight of a bonded commitment. As attitudes have shifted toward equality among gender, same-sex marriages etc., Ketubahs have kept pace by modifying the wording to suit less religious Jewish sects. For example, the Lieberman clause was introduced by the conservative Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) to allow women access to a Get (divorce) rather than only men. More progressive sects of Judaism, such as Reform, Humanistic, and Secular, traditionally use a Hebrew-based version that embodies the idea of a traditional Ketubah but emphasizes the journey of marriage as an equal partnership and takes the form of wedding vows.
The Conservative ketubah text is the document most often used in Conservative Jewish wedding ceremonies. The text is identical to the Orthodox Traditional text, with the addition of a paragraph called the "Lieberman Clause." This clause, drafted by Rabbi Saul Lieberman in the 1950s, states that either the husband or wife may invoke the authority of the "Beth Din," or Jewish court, in the event of a civil dissolution of the marriage. The added clause provides for equal legal recourse for husband and wife.
CONSERVATIVE
Traditional Orthodox Text was written with the primary purpose of protecting the finances of a Jewish wife. Ketubahs are written in Aramaic, not Hebrew, as this was the spoken language of the day 2000 years ago when the Ketubah was first created. The earliest surviving ketubah, found in Egypt and written in Aramaic on papyrus, dates from circa 440 B.C. and has not changed since that time.
ORTHODOX
Traditional ketubah texts fell into disfavour as the modern age dawned because the ketubah set men as masters of marriage. More egalitarian texts have been written where the couple pledges support to each other.
The Reform ketubah text is written in Modern Hebrew and English, where English is often a direct translation of Hebrew.
REFORM
The Egalitarian text is based upon a joint understanding of marriage as an equal partnership built on mutual love and respect. This point of view is often woven into alternative texts to reflect modern values while still honouring the Jewish tradition.
EGALITARIAN
SECULAR/ HUMANISTIC/ INTERFAITH
Humanistic Judaism embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines the celebration of Jewish culture and identity with adherence to humanistic values. At the forefront, there is a belief that people possess the power and responsibility to shape their own lives independent of supernatural authority.
Humanistic Jews believe ethics and morality should serve human needs, and choices should be based on consideration of the consequences of actions rather than on pre-ordained rules or commandments.
The Sephardic community does not offer one standard Ketubah text. Rather, the texts (usually based on wording from the Talmud Yerushalmi) can vary significantly from one Sephardic community to another, depending on the rabbi, the country and the local minhag (tradition).
The Sephardic ketubah texts are written in Aramaic, and often refer to the origins of the ancestors of the groom and bride, and some mention the specific contemporary communities the bride and groom come from. The texts are in Aramaic, written without translation into any other language. All Sephardic ketubot refer to the bride according to her social status.
Sephardic communities have a variety of views on the subject. As a result, the rabbi who will officiate at your wedding is the only one who can provide guidance on the appropriate text.
SEPHARDIC
… OR WRITE YOUR OWN ENGLISH TEXT!
Editable template text is available to serve as a foundation for your writing. Just drop us a line
Explore Models
ARTIFACT
TINY ‘TUBAH
SCULPTURE
OLD WORLD