What Should Be Written on Your Modern Ketubah

One of the most important traditional customs in a Jewish wedding is the Ketubah, or Jewish marriage contract. This agreement is a document that traditionally needs to be signed by the couple as part of their wedding in front of the rabbi and witnesses. Today, many couples who are not traditionalists, perhaps not very religious, or interfaith couples, or gay couples, are creating their own modern Ketubah as part of their wedding.

Ketubah, or the plural Ketubot, is a written version of the newlywed couple's vows and promises and responsibilities in an artful, framed document that will be on the wall of their home to serve as a reminder to them of their love throughout their married life. The modern Ketubah can also be used like a pre-nuptial agreement. In fact, about twenty percent of previously married people prefer to go with pre-nuptial agreements in their second marriage, particularly because of their past experience with divorce. There are specific guidelines for a traditional Ketubah, but here are some suggestions if you want to create your own modern Ketubah for your contemporary Jewish wedding:

1.#First, you want to choose the right modern Ketubah design, artwork and text that suits you and your partner. It would be great to get your rabbi's suggestions and approval, since the rabbi has a lot of experience and is a part of your wedding. Another way to go is to hire a mediator to help you put together the agreement. Ask the mediator to assist and help you understand each other's needs and wants.

2.#The major traditional reason of this agreement is to protect the welfare of the wife and her future children. The Ketubah is meant to make sure that they will not be taken for granted and that they will always have financial support from the man in the unfortunate event of a separation or divorce.

3.#Since many couples today write their vows, it also makes sense that some couples would want to write their own modern Ketubah text. Write this marriage contract from your heart. Write down every thing that is specific to you as a couple that you want a record of. This document will be the contract of your love for each other, and not only will you be abide this for your partner, your family and community, but also in the eyes of the Lord according to Jewish custom.

 

About the Author

Tom Budko is a fan of Modern Ketubah, New World Wedding and Ketubahs Custom Ketubah Text and Wedding Art by Rachel Deitsch