The Ketubah: a Jewish marriage contract
The Jewish tradition celebrates the loving commitment of a Jewish couple as they make their pledge to one another and marry.
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”
What is a Ketubah? (Ketubot is the plural form)
A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract. An important part of a Jewish marriage since ancient times, it was originated by the Rabbis over twenty-five hundred years ago to strengthen Jewish marriage and give it greater dignity. During the wedding ceremony, portions from a couple’s ketubah are read aloud. The traditional ketubah described to a bride her rights within marriage and listed the responsibilities of her husband to provide for and protect her during their marriage. In addition, it was to assure her, in case he should divorce her or die before her, that she would not be without financial support.
A ketubah was to be made for every Jewish bride. Written in Aramaic, the language of the time for ‘technical’ documents, it evolved over the generations, yet retained much of its essence. The text was a basic written or printed legal form. It needed to be completely accurate regarding each couple and written without any spelling errors. There is evidence that about a thousand years ago, a tradition began and developed of embellishing a ketubah artistically. Here was an opening for it to become something more than its legalistic text.
The Ketubah Becomes Art
There is a Jewish tradition called ‘hiddur mitzvah,’ which means to beautify a commandment, to make beautiful something that is used for Jewish life, ritual or ceremony. Over time, and within diverse Jewish communities around the world, distinctive traditions developed of commissioning beautiful, illustrated ketubahs (ketubot). The text could be written out in beautiful Hebrew calligraphy. It might include additional text in the common language of that community. Sometimes micrography (tiny hand-lettered Jewish love poetry or Biblical verses in Hebrew calligraphy) was included. Sometimes incorporating decorative papercuts, or richly colored illustrations and using gold leaf illumination, artists were commissioned to make beautiful ketubot.
Another tradition is that the guests at a Jewish wedding are urged to gladden the spirits of the bride and groom. Creating a beautiful ketubah to honor and celebrate a wedding couple certainly is a way to gladden their spirits. In modern times, couples usually commission a ketubah themselves, a lovely way to honor the love and commitment they make to one another.
During the last fifty years as folk arts and crafts were being renewed and reimagined, Jewish artists and calligraphers were drawn to renew and reimagine the ketubah. Inspired by this renaissance, I chose to delve into this magical art, celebrating Jewish tradition, love, and marriage.
“I take you to be mine in love and in tenderness. I take you to be mine in faithfulness. May our hearts beat as one in days of joy as of sorrow. May our home be built on Torah and lovingkindness. May my love for you last forever.”