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What is the Ketubah?

Ketubahs are the Jewish marriage contract, traditionally designed to protect the rights of the wife, as well as her property, throughout the marriage. Ketubah (or Ketubot, as it is sometimes referenced) is in actuality a form of prenuptial agreement intended to illustrate our ancestors’ deep respect and care for women.

What are Ketubot For?

The Ketubahs intention is to obligate the husband to honor his responsibility as a provider; guaranteeing his new spouse will not want for food, clothing, and shelter. The Ketubah also dictates a husband be fully attentive to the emotional needs of his new bride.

Often believed to be the oldest form of a Jewish marriage contract, the Ketubahs were original designed by Rabbis in ancient times as a replacement for the “mohar,” or bride-price. These rabbis realized that many young, single Jewish males lacked the financial resources to offer up a proper “mohar” at the age that they were expected to be married. So in order to solve the issue, they developed the Ketubot, to protect the female in the event of divorce or her husband’s death (The Ketubot was also seen as a deterrent against divorce, since it required a husband attempting to get out of the marriage be financially responsible, similar to a modern day pre-nup).

Are Ketubahs Used Today?

They most certainly are. In the words of the wise father Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof, “TRADITION!!”

The Jewish people have a heritage based on tradition, from the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, to the Ketubah and other traditional wedding gifts. We love tradition almost as much as we enjoy eating during a holiday.

Today, the Ketubah is often read aloud during the wedding ceremony. More and more young Jewish couples are opting to add their own personal covenant to the old, traditional format. While the idea of embellishing Ketubahs can be traced back centuries ago to Jewish synagogues all over the world, the idea has become a beautiful art form in today’s Jewish culture.

Art Creations Unlimited offers a variety of papercut Ketubahs, available to be mounted on hand painted silk and high quality Giclee color prints where the text will be printed. Of course, your Ketubah should be personal to you and your spouse, which is why Arts Creations Unlimited offers custom made Ketubahs, created according to the wishes and desires of the betrothed, combining suggested traditional text with personalized details and the couple’s individual vows.