What is a Ketubah

As you plan your wedding you may discover that the ketubah can be much more than a marriage document—it's a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern love, a work of art that will hang proudly your home for a long, long time.

The ketubah, or "written document" in Hebrew, is a marriage contract that has been central to Jewish weddings for close to two thousand years. The ketubah represents protection, commitment, and the beauty of partnership. It is a declaration of love written in the language of responsibility and devotion.

Jewish law requires that every groom write a ketubah for his bride before their marriage ceremony. The traditional text, written in Aramaic, outlines the husband's obligations to provide for his wife, to honor her and care for her throughout their lives together. Two witnesses sign this document, making it legally binding under Jewish law. The ketubah was revolutionary for its time in its establishment of protections for women.

From Ancient Times to Today

Ketubot over the centuries have mostly been functional documents. But about a thousand years ago something beautiful began to happen. Sometimes, in some Jewish communities, ketubot were adorned with magnificent illumination, transforming legal documents into treasured artwork. Jews in Spain, Italy, North Africa, and Eastern Europe all eventually developed their own distinctive ketubah artistic traditions.

Artistic Ketubah Traditions

The illuminated ketubot of medieval Spain featured intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colors, reflecting the sophisticated artistic culture of their time. Italian ketubot sometimes included delicate floral motifs and architectural elements, while those from Islamic lands incorporated flowing calligraphy and arabesque designs. Eastern European communities created ketubot with folk art elements, often featuring the symbolic Tree of Life or protective hands.

Beautifying a Jewish marriage contract is a way of expressing hiddur mitzvah, the Jewish concept of beautifying a mitzvah. Hanging a magnificently decorated ketubah on your wall, rather than keeping your ketubah folded in a drawer, creates a daily reminder of your values.

Modern Ketubot: Honoring Tradition While Embracing Change

Today, couples continue this magnificent tradition while making it their own. Modern ketubot often include the traditional Aramaic text along with contemporary English or Hebrew texts that reflect the couple's personal commitment to equality and partnership. Inclusive versions of ketubot honor both ancient wisdom and modern love, and hang proudly on your wall as a daily reminder of the commitment you've made to each other.

Connecting Past, Present, and Future

The ketubah represents the Jewish understanding that marriage is both personal and communal. It connects you to thousands of years of couples who have stood under a chuppah and built lives together. When you choose your ketubah design, you're not just selecting artwork—you're participating in an unbroken chain of love, commitment, and hope that stretches back through the generations and forward into the future you're creating together.

Your ketubah will become a family heirloom, passed down through generations as a testament to the love that started your family's story. It's a beautiful beginning to a lifetime of shared traditions, values, and joy.