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Ketubah Text Choices (which text is right for me)
It is very important that you check with your officiating rabbi or cantor
before selecting a text. The following brief descriptions of the various texts may help clarify the options:
Traditional Aramaic - ( click
here for literal translation )
This text was written during the Babylonian exile with minor
variations that occurred through changes in time and place.
It delineates the husband's
obligations toward his wife as they enter the marital state and
was designed to protect the woman's status and property in
marriage
and in the event
of divorce or the husband's death. It is still used by Orthodox
and Conservative rabbis, carrying legal clout in contemporary
courts
of law as a contractual
agreement. If you will be using this text, select the artist and
then have your rabbi approve that artist's Aramaic text. There
are some variations
in spellings and your rabbi will want to be sure it fulfills his
or her requirements.Traditional Aramaic with English
The English text that accompanies a Traditional Aramaic text
is not a direct translation. For each ketubah that you like,
the English
vows
can vary so read each one to be sure you like the wording. (For
a literal translation, click above on Traditional Aramaic)
Conservative
with Lieberman
Clause - ( click here for literal
translation )
This text is the same as the Traditional Aramaic text with the
addition of a paragraph called the Lieberman Clause. This is a
legally binding
agreement stating that, in the event of a civil divorce, the couple
agrees to abide by the decision of the Rabbinic Assembly concerning
the Jewish
divorce. Many Conservative rabbis insist that couples sign this.The
purpose is to prevent the get (Jewish divorce) from becoming a
bargaining tool
against the spouse, which would prevent them from remarrying. For
each artwork that you are considering please have your rabbi review
that
artist’s
text. There are some variations in spellings and your rabbi or cantor
will want to be sure it fulfills his or her requirements.Conservative
with Lieberman Clause with English
The English text that accompanies this text is not a direct translation.
For each ketubah that you like, the English vows can vary so read
each one to be sure you like the wording. Sometimes the English
vows on the
Conservative texts are shorter than in others because the Aramaic
is so long with the extra clause. There is simply not enough space
for longer
vows. (For a literal translation, click above on Conservative with
Lieberman Clause)
Egalitarian
with Hebrew and English
This text is usually considered the Reform text and varies from
artist to artist. You should read the text that accompanies each
ketubah
that you are considering. They are often beautifully written
expressions of
love, devotion and commitment. The Hebrew is a direct translation
of the English. Be sure your rabbi or cantor approves your text
choice.
Interfaith
Interfaith texts are widely available and wording varies from
artist to artist. In some instances there is a complete Hebrew
translation
of the text. In most cases, there is a Hebrew heading containing
the Hebrew
date, the place of the marriage and your names, followed by
the vows in English. Though most rabbis and cantors will allow
you
free reign
to choose what you like, some have specific wording that they
will approve. So please check first.
Commitment
Vows
Commitment vows are written to be suitable for same gender unions
and are usually universally appropriate for any commitment
or marriage ceremony
as well. The wording varies from artist to artist so be sure
to read each one that accompanies the artwork that you are
interested in.
Anniversary
Text
Already-married couples add meaning to their anniversary
celebration with a beautiful ketubah commemorating their
years together.
Many of our artists offer thoughtful texts which reflect
on this event.
Some
couples prefer to choose the same text that was on their
original ketubah and to fill in the original information.
This is a
GREAT gift to present
to each other or to anyone having an anniversary.
Blank
/ Custom Texts
If a ketubah is available in a blank, you can add a custom
text. For lithographs this involves hand calligraphy. The
price of
a hand-written custom text depends on the particular artist
and the
number of words
in your text. On average, this adds to the price of the
ketubah print an additional $275 to $500. For giclee prints,
this
can usually be
accomplished with computer calligraphic lettering. Don’t let
that deter you - they look terrific and adding your own text is significantly
less expensive,
about $75 - $150.
Traditional
Aramaic Translation
On the ______day of the week, the _________day of the month ______ in the year
five thousand seven hundred and ______ since the creation of the world, the era
according to which we reckon here in the city of _________________ that ________
son of _________ said to this (virgin) _________daughter of _____.
" Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish,
honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands
who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And I here present
you with the marriage gift of (virgins), (two hundred) silver zuzim, which belongs
to you, according the the law of Moses and Israel; and I will also give you your
food, clothing and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according
to universal custom." And Miss_____, this (virgin) consented and became
his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her (father's) house in
silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this ________,
the said bridegroom accepted in the sum of (one hundred ) silver pieces, and
______ the bridegroom, consented to increase this amount from his own property
with the sum of (one hundred) silver pieces, making in all (two hundred) silver
pieces. And thus said __________, the bridegroom: "The responsibility of
this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take
upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part
of my property and possession that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which
I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even
the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage
contract, of the trousseau, and of the addition made to it, during my lifetime
and after my death, from the present day and forever." _______, the bridegroom,
has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the
trousseau and the additon made to it, according to the restrictive usages of
all marriage
contracts and the additons to them made for the daughters of Israel, according
to the institution of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded
as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document.
We
have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery (kinyan) between ______the
son of _______, the bridegroom and _______ the daughter of _______ this (virgin),
and we have used a garment legally fit for the purpose, to strengthen all that
is stated above, and everything is valid and confirmed.
Attested to________________________ Witness
Attested to________________________ Witness
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Lieberman Clause Translation
This paragraph is added at the end of the above Traditional Aramaic
text which is then called Conservative with Lieberman Clause
And both together agreed that if this marriage shall ever be dissolved under
civil law, then either husband or wife may invoke the authority of the Beth
Din of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
or
its duly authorized representatives, to decide what action by either spouse
is then appropriate under Jewish matrimonial law; and if either spouse shall
fail
to honor the demand of the other or to carry out the decision of the Beth
Din or its representative, then the other spouse may invoke any and all remedies
available in civil law and equity to enforce compliance with the Beth Din's
decision
and this solemn abligaton.
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