Ketubah

The ketubah (Hebrew " writing, document ", literally: "It is written " ) is any written Jewish marriage contract. It is written in Aramaic and signed by two witnesses.

In Orthodox Judaism, the ketubah defines the obligation of the husband towards his wife. He thus undertakes to secure their support, diet, healthy life and joy. In a narrower sense, the ketubah secures the rights of women, to which the husband (three- rights ): 1 Maintenance ( Sch'era ), 2 clothing ( Kesuta ), 3rd intercourse ( Onata ). The ketubah also regulates the financial security of women in case of divorce or the husband's death. For women, no duties are specified in the ketubah.

The text of an Orthodox ketubah, translated from the Aramaic, goes something like:

" ... On the day of the week, on ... days of the month ... year ... after the creation of the world, after the era that we are here in the city XYZ. It has A., son of B., to the Virgin C., daughter of D. said: Let me in marriage according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I will work for you, keep you in honor, feed you and provide, according to the custom of Jewish husbands who work for their wives in honesty, honor, nourish and care. Also, I will give you the morning-gift your virginity, 200 Sus ( denarii ) in silver coins, the charge you according to the Torah, as well as your food, your clothes and all your needs, and I come to thee, after the manner of the world. ' And she, a virgin, has agreed to become a woman to him. And the dowry which she learns from her father's house, whether in silver, gold, jewelry, clothing, home appliances or bedding, is 100 silver coins. A. And, the groom, has consented, nor inflict 100 Sus silver coins, so that the whole sum of 200 silver coins. A. And, the groom, said thus: I assume the warranty for this ketubah, dowry and adding both for me and for my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid out with the best and most excellent of my fortune that I on earth own, which I acquired or will acquire, either in real estate or movables. All of these possessions, even my jacket on my shoulders to ensure or guarantee that your ketubah, dowry and adding 'm paid by my life and after my death, from this day for all eternity. ' The warranty for dowry, dowry and addition took A., the groom, according to the strict rules of the ketubah and the additional documents as are customary in the daughters of Israel, and according to the orders of our sages, not as a mere promise or certificate form. All this has been explained on the part of the bridegroom A., son of B. for C., daughter of D., in relation to all of the above written and explained to make it legally to purchase. We ( the witnesses ) by the bridegroom A., son of B., for the bride C., daughter of D., the Virgin, by means of a garment, which is suitable for kinyan, legally acquired rights above. Everything is fixed and legally valid. Signature: ... son of ..., witness ... son of ...., witness ".

In some areas, also groom and bride attach their signatures.

This form of ketubah is used only in Orthodox Judaism. The majority of Jews in North America and a significant minority of Jews in Europe and Israel practicing forms of progressive (or liberal ) Judaism. In these denominations the ketubah serves the partners for each other primarily as a solemn declaration of their love and of their mutual promises and commitments. This includes also usually an adequate contribution to livelihood a tone, but both partners equally this obligation to be. Dowry and dowry do not occur here. Many non- Orthodox Ketubot also include a passage in which the groom is obliged to grant the divorce his wife on demand. Because many Jews marry members of other religions, there are also ketubah texts for such mixed religious marriages. The same is true for the growing number of same- Jewish partnerships, which are sealed in a religious ceremony and for which there is also Ketubot. Non - Orthodox Ketubot are not just a formality, but serve the couple as a kind of solemn "mission statement " of their marriage. Accordingly much care is used in the formulation. That the ketubah of calligraphers written and designed by specialized artists consuming part of the Jewish tradition of chidur mizvah, so the " beautification " of a religious obligation. Many couples can frame their ketubah and hang them at home on a place of honor on.