In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the ketubah is signed by two witnesses and traditionally read out loud under the chuppah between the erusin and nissuin. In other Jewish communities, the custom was to write out all financial obligations as individual components. Ketubot have been made in a wide range of designs, usually following the tastes and styles of the era and region in which they are made. Perhaps it is someone who has an especially strong and loving marriage, a best friend who knows you to your core, a friend whos like family, or someone who had a role in bringing the two of you together. The mechanism adopted was to provide for the mohar to be a part of the ketubah. 20+ Beautiful Jewish Wedding Invitations for the Couples Big Night (2022), Jewish Wedding Etiquette & Attire: What to Wear, Say & Do (& NOT Do), 8 Best Shabbat Hot Water Urns & Dispensers for Shabbos (2022 Reviews), Mitzvah Project Ideas: How to Choose Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project (+ Examples), 30+ Classy Mishloach Manot Ideas, Gift Baskets & Gifts for Purim (2022), Not biologically related (some are more lenient). A ketubah (/ktuv/;[1] Hebrew: ) is a Jewish marriage contract. Various reasons given for this include the fact that the details specify personal details, prominent display may invite jealousy or fears of the evil eye. Some observant communities will include the bride and female family members to be present at the ketubah signing though she will not sign the ketubah. Never? After all, its an honor to be selected as a witness, not just because its extremely important for legitimizing the marriage, but also as it is proof a couple truly loves and admires you. The content of the ketubah is examined and approved and the ketubah signing now takes place. = increment), whereby the groom pledges addition money to his bride. This question might not apply to most people, but its a great one to consider if you know someone who fits this description. It usually takes place in a private room attended by the officiant, the wedding couple, the witnesses, close family and possibly a few dear friends. In a Conservative ketubah signing, there are still two lines for witnesses unrelated to the wedding couple and many people include extra lines for the rabbi and/or cantor to sign under the Hebrew. Have your witnesses write out their names and practice signing too. Note: While some couples do invite their guests for the Ketubah signing; others prefer a more intimate setting with only the Rabbi, the witnesses and maybe a handful of close friends and family members present. (SPOILER: Its not a question of right or wrong). In any case, its worth taking some time to discuss witnesses with your spouse-to-be, so that you make a thoughtful pick, someone you admire and who will be honored by providing the finishing touches to your ketubah. Later under the chuppah, the ketubah is read aloud and given to bride (usually the brides mother will hold it for safekeeping). Your email address will not be published. There are different schools of thought about this, however, which is why in Reform Judaism the witnesses can be a person of any gender, over the age of bnei mitzvah (13 and older) of the Jewish faith, but some rabbis may allow people from other faiths to be witnesses. Shop Now! Why no relatives? The witnesses sign between two Aramaic words, which appear at the end of the Aramaic section, as seen here: Modern Ideas and Options:These days, when a ketubah includes an English text, there are usually lines for the bride, groom and wedding officiant to sign. Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA). See an example of a ketubah product info pagehere. According to Jewish law, a witness has to meet the following requirements to be able to sign the Ketubah: Note: Interfaith and secular couples dont abide by these requirements. Aketubah, orJewish wedding contract, is usually offered with several pre-written text options. When was the last time you needed to sign your name in Hebrew? Who can sign our ketubah? Once the Ketubah is signed, it is put aside until the wedding ceremony starts. Traditionally, only the witnesses are required to sign the Ketubah. Its considered a honor to be included in the ketubah signing ceremony. It depends on the ketubah artist! Below is an example of what it might look like. Or, to put it in teenager lingo: whos your BFF? In Sephardic communities, it still specifies the actual contributions of the family to the new household and the divorce settlement; Ashkenazi communities have adopted the custom of having set amounts for all weddings. In addition, Secular Humanist and Anniversary texts are also available today. The Rabbi and the groom may, but not necessarily sign the ketubah. Choosing who will sign the Ketubah is the hard part. His beautiful art ketubahs are visual expressions of the sanctity of the love that the bride and groom share and that will continue to grow in the course of their marriage. But the best friendships are ones youd like to keep forever. This was done in order to make sure the bride and groom understood the contract that was being signed. 2013 RabbiLevH.com NY Wedding Rabbi and Jewish Life Cycle Officiant [emailprotected] All rights reserved. A modern secular equivalent would be the entitlement to alimony in the event of divorce. In order for your ketubah to be valid, it must be filled in with your names, your parents' names (more on that later), and the date and location of your wedding -- a process known as "ketubah personalization." ArtistRachel Deitschoffers modern ketubah designs that include your parents' names in English as well as Hebrew, In general, all ketubot that contain Hebrew text will include your parents' names. Talk to your wedding officiant about his or her preference about filling in your ketubah. I take a special interest in knowing who a couples witnesses are, well in advance of the wedding. By understanding the connection between your signers and you, Im able to make your, 2013 RabbiLevH.com NY Wedding Rabbi and Jewish Life Cycle Officiant. Demure by Priceless Ketubah Signing Rules, The Ketubah Signing ceremony may seem like a small detail compared to the overall excitement and ceremony of a. , but it is the ketubah signing that makes the marriage legal and binding according to Jewish lawhistorically and to the present day. During the ceremony, different sets of witnesses are sometimes in order to spread the honor among more friends. The rules change for non-Orthodox weddings. Why only Jews? According to Jewish law, spouses are prohibited from living together if the ketubah has been destroyed, lost, or is otherwise unretrievable. This special honor is most often reserved for revered friends or teachers. Many contemporary ketubot have translations into English or other vernacular languages or an accompanying vernacular text. Thank you for subscribing to emails from ReformJudaism.org! A small gathering of close family and friends come together, and the wedding officiant coordinates the signing of the ketubah. The ketubah of Babatha, a 2nd-century woman who lived near the Dead Sea, was discovered in 1960 in the Cave of Letters.[11]. Interfaith and secular couples dont abide by these requirements. The Hebrew word for "son of" is "ben," the word for "daughter of" is "bat," and the word for "and" is "ve." As beautiful as it is, your ketubah, according to Jewish Law is legally meaningless without two very important signatures. Your ketubah is your wedding contract. To put the foregoing discussion in context, in traditional Jewish circles, witnesses can only be adult males who are recognized by their community as fully Shabbat observant. Jewish Wedding Ceremony, Jewish Traditions. So how do you choose the one? Youre the one that has to walk through it.. Some clergy also will allow additional witnesses, so you can honor three or even four friends as witnesses. To download the worksheet, simply browse your chosen ketubah's product info page and click the button that reads "Click Here for Worksheet and Instructions." [3], According to the Babylonian Talmud, the ketubah was enacted by Simeon ben Shetach[4] so that it might not be a light thing for a man to divorce his wife. Have a look at the list below for a few examples of ketubah artists and their respective personalization techniques. Someone who could use a few acts of kindness? I want to know about their relationship to the bride and groom, and why they chose them to endorse this very special document. This is a Jewish document, written in Aramaic or Hebrew. The officiating rabbi will present the ketubah to the groom and two witnesses that the groom has appointed. Its also common to pick a witness who is in a wonderful marriage, as an example of what yours will be. The bride and groom can also sign their Hebrew names as well as their English ones. (818) 704-7100customerservice@shalomhouse.comMazal Tov on your wedding from Gallery Judaica! [5] The enactment provides for a man's wife to receive a fixed sum of money, usually accruing from his property, in the event of his divorcing her or of his predeceasing her. Both the mohar and the ketubah amounts served the same purpose: the protection for the wife should her support by her husband (either by death or divorce) cease. Mazel tov and congratulations on your upcoming marriage! We hope this article has helped to answer your questions.Feel free to contact us for further information on our ketubah and ketubah personalization services. [17] The Chief Rabbinate in Israel has sought to bring uniformity to the ketubah, particularly where Jewish communities in the Diaspora had upheld conflicting traditions. In this time of the pandemic, with many weddings being downsized, the role of a witness is an even greater honor than usual. The role of witnesses in Jewish weddings is quite the honor, and its yours to bestow! In an Orthodox Jewish wedding, two witnesses unrelated by blood to the bride or groom, are chosen to sign the ketubah with their Hebrew names, thus completing it and making it a kosher, legal document. 2005-2022 Shalom House Fine Judaica All Rights Reserved. Ketubah derives from the Hebrew meaning committed to writing. Commiting a wedding agreement to writing is a Jewish legal practice dating back 2,000 years and, as such, it's a prime example of the progressive nature of Judaism! "[19] A woman who denied coitus unto her husband, a condition of the ketubah, was considered legal grounds for forfeiture of her marriage contract, with the principal and additional jointure being written off. Please try again. [9] Based on the anatomical weight of 25 shekels in Tyrian coinage, the minimum amount vouched in a virgin's ketubah amounted to 504 grams of fine silver.[10]. Choosing who, Choosing one person (the bride and groom usually pick one each) means. (And Who SHOULD? He provides a wide range of. The Ketubah Signing ceremony may seem like a small detail compared to the overall excitement and ceremony of a Jewish wedding, but it is the ketubah signing that makes the marriage legal and binding according to Jewish lawhistorically and to the present day. Account with that email address does not exist. Your email address will not be published. Many, but not all, clergy adhere to the rule that witnesses not be related to either wedding partner or to one another. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The ketubah amount served as a disincentive for the husband contemplating divorcing his wife: he would need to have the amount in order to be able to pay to his wife. Why no relatives? No pressure! Account with that email address does not exist at this portal. Friends come and go; thats the reality of life. The groom then publicly agrees to take on the responsibilities mentioned in the Ketubah. Unless the husband pledged otherwise, the minimum obligation towards a man's virgin bride is 200 silver denaria (.mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-family:"SBL Hebrew","SBL BibLit","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey Frank CLM","Frank Ruehl CLM","Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey David CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,FreeSerif,FreeSans} ), known as the principal (or dower's price), and 100 silver denaria ( ) for a man who married a widow or divorced woman. At the ceremony, the Rabbi reads the Ketubah right after the first stage of the wedding ceremony (Kiddushin) and before the start of the second stage (Nissuin). Some Reform communities are more lenient with this requirement. Often, the witness signature area is simply a set of spaces between the Aramaic words, without actual lines. The groom then agrees to take on the responsibility of providing for his wife, as stated in the Ketubah. The other half is choosing your witness which, Im afraid, is a decision youll have to make all by yourself. This is a Jewish document, written in Aramaic or Hebrew. Bride:
Ketubah Artist Stephanie Caplanpersonalizes her ketubot by hand, in uniquely stylized calligraphy. The rabbi might also require that the two witnesses be, https://customketubah.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/customK.png. If the ketubah you choose does not have "No Personalization" option, then this is likely the case for that ketubah.) Yes, the witnesses may be the most important part of your wedding, and choosing them can be stressful. This is determined by prevailing local customs, the community you are part of and, of course, the couples preferences. These options are usually indicated on that artist's ketubah worksheet.It is important to discuss signature lines with your rabbi or wedding officiant,especially if you are being married in an Orthodox or Conservative environment. That means potentially offending quite a few people. Example: You can easily spot the differences when you compare the different Ketubah text versions (notice the signature area). ), The funny thing is, youll get a different answer depending on who you ask. Some congregations have texts available for same sex couples too. I was one of the witnesses for a good friend at her Conservative wedding. [2] It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. In the eyes of Jewish law, your ketubah is a binding, legal document and, as such, cannot be signed by any interested party. Whether or not your ketubah will include your parents' names in English varies by ketubah design and artist. Some couples begin to fret when they learn about the preparations necessary to have their ketubah filled in. Knowing who can sign the Ketubah is the easy part. His beautiful art ketubahs are visual expressions of the sanctity of the love that the bride and groom share and that will continue to grow in the course of their marriage. The Ketubah signing ceremony is one of the most meaningful parts of the Jewish wedding ceremony. Like you, they will also be a little nervous about signing such an important document in full view of your immediate families. Today, Jewish weddings have many different variations to the, is a ketubah artist who has a deep understanding of the significance of this Jewish legal documentwhich is so very much more than a, . But knowing who can sign the Ketubah is only half the battle (and its the easy half, too). The witnesses signatures attest to the fact that the wedding has occurred. Parents want their children to enjoy the love and bliss that only marriage can offer, but parents also stand to benefit when you become financially independent and move out. The groom raises the handkerchief in front of the two witnesses a sign of consent and acceptance of his responsibilities, as stated in the Ketubah. I scraped out his signature and the bride got to marry the right man. (And Who SHOULD? Both your witnesses must be Jewish adults, and neither should be related to you. Ordering Your Ketubah: A Simplified Process, Creativity and the Downsized Jewish Wedding, I Am My Beloveds And My Beloved Is Mine: The Meaning And History Of A Popular Jewish Wedding Verse, Beautiful Jewish Wedding Traditions to Inspire You. For others, picking one witness sounds like an impossible task. Rachel YehuditbatYitzchak NachumveShoshana LeahGroom:Shmuel Ze'evbenAvraham DavidveRivka Tzipora. That means potentially offending quite a few people. Witnesses cant be just anyone. This guide is here to help you simplify the process and relieve your ketubah jitters. In days of old, Jewish people were referred to by their first and middle names, and the name of their father. Your signature becomes another part of the ketubah to be treasured, and connects you to the married couple. S/he may also require that you and your witnesses sign your names in Hebrew. [22], The Talmud Yerushalmi opines that the Bat-Kohen who marries a non-Kohen receives that standard two hundred Zuz amount, as a penalty for not marrying within the greater family of Kohanim. Daniel Azoulay is a ketubah artist who has a deep understanding of the significance of this Jewish legal documentwhich is so very much more than a marriage contract. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Its a moment the couple, and their witnesses never forget. Fill in the details below and we'll share a link to this page by email on your behalf. In Ashkenazi tradition, the custom is to consolidate these different financial obligations, or pledges, into one single, aggregate sum. Their names will be on this most important document that will follow the bride and groom for the rest of their lives together. [Wishes, Sayings & Greetings], Jewish Wedding Ceremony: Traditions, Customs & Rituals [The Complete Guide], The Jewish Wedding Processional Order Step by Step, Signing the Ketubah: Who CAN Sign It? Today, styles and decorations on ketubahs are chosen by the couple as a representation of their personal styles. [26][27] In such case a second ketubah is made up (called a Ketubah De'irkesa), which states in its opening phrase that it comes to substitute a previous ketubah that has been lost. It acted as a replacement of the biblical mohar the price paid by the groom to the bride, or her parents, for the marriage (i.e., the bride price). By understanding the connection between your signers and you, Im able to make your ketubah signing ceremony more personal and intimate. Friends or distant relatives are invited to witness the ketubah, which is considered an honour; close relatives are prohibited from being witnesses. It makes sense that, in this instance, Jews would be most eligible to serve as witnesses. signing, traditionally, takes place in a secluded area where the attendees are the Rabbi, the fathers of the bride and groom, male family members and a few close friends. The conditions written in the marriage contract may vary between communities, as in the case of the Yemenite ketubah, where the custom in Yemen was not to consolidate the different financial obligations, or pledges, into one single, aggregate sum as is practised by some communities. Traditional ketubot are not written in the Hebrew language, but in Aramaic, the lingua franca of Jews at the time ketubot became standardized. Home Signing the Ketubah: Who CAN Sign It? THE JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY BRINGS US TOGETHER. Below is an example of a ketubah signing ceremony that went off perfectly a hitch without a hitch. choosing many others. mautner photojournalistic approach Required fields are marked *, What to Write/Say in a Jewish Wedding Card? This special honor is most often reserved for revered friends or teachers. In a Jewish wedding, there is a ketubah signing ceremony before the actual wedding where two witnesses sign the marriage contract. For others, picking. The ketubah is handed to the bride (or, more commonly, to the bride's mother) for safekeeping. Furthermore, the two witnesses must be male, unrelated to either the bride or the groom and be Sabbath observers. Please try again. Rather, all financial obligations were written out as individual components, and had the same fixed sums for all persons. But for many couples, thats not enough there are still many friends whom youd like to honor, but unfortunately, you can only choose one. Traditionally, a Jew by choice uses either "Avraham Avinu" ("our father Abraham") or "Avraham ve Sarah" ("Abraham and Sarah") as their parents' names. Many couples pick someone that they know they can count on for absolutely anything. Many years ago I got a panicked call from a bride a couple of weeks after her wedding. If you belong to the latter group here are a few questions you can ask yourself thatll help you decide when choosing your witness: Traditionally, the Ketubah signing ceremony takes place at the Tisch, before the wedding ceremony. Available texts include Conservative text, using the Lieberman Clause, Reform, Egalitarian and Interfaith texts. The following are two examples of Hebrew names as they might appear on a ketubah -- transliterated into English for the sake of explanation:
Most of the time it all goes as planned. In these ceremonies, the ketubah is signed by both the bride and groom, the Rabbi or Officiant and two or more witnesses of the couples choosing. In the eyes of Jewish law, your, I take a special interest in knowing who a couples witnesses are, well in advance of the wedding. Some artists fill in the ketubah with hand-calligraphy, while others use computer print. Someone youd like to put a smile on their face? This was paid in full from a man's property in the event of his divorcing her during her lifetime, or of his pre-deceasing her. The top lines are for the two witnesses (naoum ayd), the middle line is for the groom and bride (chatan, kallah) and the last for the rabbi (rav). He provides a wide range of Ketubah text styles to accommodate prevailing Jewish wedding customs. For this reason, many "Aramaic Only" ketubot (without any English text) only have signature spaces for the two witnesses,withoutany lines for the bride, groom or officiant. To abide by this ancient naming convention, your names will appear in this fashion on your ketubah -- usually along with your mother's name, as a more recent addition. sign the Ketubah is the easy part. Not only that, he signed on the grooms line! [12] They date between the 6th and 19th centuries and, whilst many consist of plain text, there are examples that use decorative devices such as micrography[13] and illumination[14] to elaborate them. Smaller weddings mean more emphasis on family guests, so your choice of witnesses is a great opportunity to bring in friends and loved ones who arent related to you. The content of the ketubah is in essence a two-way contract that formalizes the various requirements by Halakha (Jewish law) of a Jewish husband vis--vis his wife. He then returns the handkerchief it to the Rabbi, a symbolic form of transaction that doesnt involve currency by adding the Aramaic word, (or transaction completed) to the Ketubah, The two witnesses sign the Ketubah to finalize the process and confirm that the groom has accepted the agreement (In non-Orthodox communities, the bride and groom sometimes sign the Ketubah as well), before the wedding, its best to leave the glass cover out before the ceremony, and then put it on after the witnesses sign it (make sure the ink is dry before putting the glass back on, or better yet use a. is only half the battle (and its the easy half, too). But for many couples, thats not enough there are still many friends whom youd like to honor, but unfortunately, you can only choose, For some of you, the answer might be obvious. Over two hundred ketubot were discovered, among other manuscripts, in the Cairo Geniza. For the Tractate Ketubot in the Mishnah, see, Talmud Yerushalmi Ketuboth chap. Do you know someone whos gone through a rough time lately? The rabbi might also require that the two witnesses be shomer shabbat (observe the Sabbath) and frequently Orthodox rabbis will also sign the ketubah with their Hebrew names to insure that there are shomer shabbat signatures.
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