How do we choose a text?

   First and foremost, when you are deciding on a ketubah text, you should ask your officiating clergy what his or her requirements are. If you inquire about this at the outset, you will know that on your wedding day there will be no surprises regarding your ketubah.

   Usually, your text choice is related to your style of observance of Jewish tradition. You should discuss this fully with your clergy so you feel comfortable with the text that will be used on your ketubah. To help clarify the many text options, we have included a description of the different texts.

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Descriptions of text options

   It is very important that you check with your officiating clergy before selecting a text. There are many variations even in standard texts so you want to be sure there are no unanticipated surprises on your wedding day regarding your ketubah. We are happy to provide your officiant with a copy of the text for the ketubah that you have chosen. Just provide an email address or fax number and we�ll send it over for review. This important step is worth your peace of mind.

Orthodox (aka Traditional Aramaic)
   This text originated during the Babylonian exile and delineates the husband's obligations toward his wife. It was designed to protect the woman's status and property in marriage and in the event of divorce or the husband's death or desertion. This text carries legal clout in contemporary courts of law as a contractual agreement. If you will be using this text, select the ketubah design first and then have your rabbi approve that artist's Aramaic text. There are some variations in spellings and you will want to be sure it fulfills your rabbi's requirements.

   The English text that accompanies an Orthodox text is not a direct translation. The English vows will vary from artist to artist so read each one to be sure that you like the wording and that your rabbi approves.

Conservative with Lieberman Clause
   This text is the same as the Orthodox 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 (Gett) and most Conservative clergy require that this clause be in the ketubah. The purpose is to prevent the Gett from becoming a bargaining tool against the spouse, which would prevent the woman, in particular, from remarrying.

   The English text that accompanies an Orthodox text is not a direct translation. The English vows will vary from artist to artist so read each one to be sure that you like the wording and that your rabbi approves.

Reform - (aka Egalitarian)
   These vows vary from artist to artist so 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 usually a direct translation of the English. Be sure your officiant 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 officiants will allow you free reign to choose what you like, some have specific wording that they will approve. So please check first before ordering!

Commitment Vows
   Commitment vows are written to be suitable for same gender unions and are generally universally appropriate for any marriage ceremony. The wording varies from artist to artist so be sure to read each one that accompanies the artwork that you are interested in.

Anniversary
   Already-married couples can 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. This is a GREAT gift to present to each other or to anyone you know that is having an anniversary.

Secular Humanistic
   The Association of Humanistic Rabbis and Leadership Conference of Secular and Humanistic Jews offers two texts and they are available in the artwork of several artists. One is all English and the other has a Hebrew translation. Other artists may offer a secular style text that is labeled as Humanist and is not associated with the above mentioned organization.

Sephardic
   Rabbis of Sephardic communities, originally from Spain and the Mediterranean, often require a special ketubah text. Each community has their own preferred wording so you should show the rabbi the texts that some artists offer as standard to see if one is acceptable. Otherwise, a custom text can be ordered on most ketubot.

Write Your Own / Custom Text
   If you fell in love with a ketubah design but prefer to use wording that is not offered by the artist, most ketubot can accommodate a custom text.

   For lithograph prints, 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. This option can add a few hundred dollars to the cost of your ketubah.

   For giclee prints, a custom text can usually be accomplished with computer calligraphic lettering. They look terrific and adding your own text is generally significantly less expensive than hand-calligraphy.

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Literal translation Traditional Aramaic (Orthodox)

   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 addition made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additions 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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Literal translation of Lieberman Clause

   This paragraph, the Lieberman Clause, is added near the end of the Traditional Aramaic text and is referred to as the Conservative with Lieberman Clause Text.

   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 obligation.

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We like this ketubah and that text

   If you fell in love with a ketubah design but prefer to use wording that is not offered by the artist, most ketubot can accommodate a custom text.

   For lithograph prints 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. This option can add a few hundred dollars to the cost of your ketubah.

   For giclee prints, a custom text can usually be accomplished with computer calligraphic lettering. They look terrific and adding your own text is generally significantly less expensive than hand-calligraphy.

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About custom texts

   When you decide that you would like different wording on a ketubah than is offered by the artist, that is called a Custom Text. It may be vows that you have written together or it may be a text that you saw on a different ketubah by another artist. It is almost always possible to add a custom text to any of the ketubah designs. If it is another artist's text, however, we do need their permission to use their text on your ketubah. Most artists do grant permission since it is for your individual use only, though some have a charge for using their text.

   Custom texts for lithograph prints have to be hand-written and the price depends on the artist. The number of words is taken into consideration when calculating the price.

   For most giclee prints, the custom text is done in the same digital calligraphy that the artist chose for that ketubah and it is generally less expensive than hand calligraphy.

   If you wrote your text in English and you need it translated, we do have wonderful, Israeli translators that we work with.

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We wrote our English text and need a Hebrew translation

   We do offer the service of translating your ketubah text.

   Our translators are native born Israelis who translate with a poetic flare.

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Texts in other languages

   Many of our artists can add custom texts in languages beside English and Hebrew. Call us and we will explore the options with you.