THE KETUBAH WORKSHOP offers five texts: Orthodox (RCA), Conservative (RA) and 3 Egalitarian texts. We also offer the Toronto Area Reform Rabbi's text at no extra charge. Texts are available for viewing as .pdf files by e-mail, or they can be faxed to you. All texts are handwritten on the Ketubah. We also have permission from specific artists to write other texts. Please call 1-800-867-5997 for more information. Costs for custom texts range from $60 US to $100 US.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ENGLISH VERSIONS OF THE TEXTS

FOR ORTHODOX AND CONSERVATIVE TEXTS:

THIS Ketubah witnesses before God and all those present that on this ___day of the week, the ___day of the month of___in the year___corresponding to the ___ day of ___in the city of___the Holy Covenant of Marriage was entered into between the Groom___son of ___and the Bride___daughter of___. Duly conscious of the sacred obligations of marriage, the Groom made the following declaration to his bride: "Be consecrated unto me as my wife according to the laws and traditions of Moses and the people Israel. I will love, honor and cherish you; I will protect and support you, and I will faithfully care for your needs, as prescribed by Jewish law and tradition." In accepting the ring as a token of the Groom's love and commitment, the bride agreed to become his wife, and to participate with him in establishing a home in love and harmony, peace and companionship. This Covenant of Marriage has been signed and witnessed according to the laws and traditions that began with Abraham and Sarah, were conveyed through Moses and affirmed throught the people Israel.

EGALITARIAN TEXT 1

ON the___day of the week, the___day of the month of___corresponding to____here at____the Groom___son of ___said to the bride: "Be my wife according to the faith of Israel". And the Bride ___daughter of ___said to the Groom "Be my husband according to the faith of Israel."

I betroth you to me forever; I betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion; I betroth you to me in everlasting faithfulness. In the spirit of Jewish tradition I will be your loving friend, as you are mine. Set me as a seal upon your heart, like the seal upon your hand, for love is stronger than death, it is the flame of God. And I will cherish you, honor you, uphold and sustain you in all truth and sincerity. I will respect you and the Divine image within you. Therefore have I said to you: by this ring be sanctified to me, according to the faith of Israel. ALL THIS IS SPOKEN AND DONE.

EGALITARIAN TEXT 2

On the ___ day of the week, the___day of the month of___in the year___corresponding to the ___day of the month of____ here in ___the Groom son of___said to the bride "With this ring you are consecrated unto me as my wife according to the tradition of Moses and the Jewish people. I shall trasure you, nourish you, support you and respect you as Jewish men have devoted themselves to their wives with integrity." The Bride___daughter of___said to the Groom: "With this ring you are consecrated unto me as my husband according to the tradition of Moses and the Jewish people. I shall treasure you, nourish you, support you and respect you as Jewish women have devoted themselves to their husbands with integrity." We promise to try to be ever open to one another while cherishing each other's uniqueness; to comfort and challenge each other through life's sorrow and joy; to share our intuition and insight with one another. We also pledge to establish a home open to the spiritual potential in all life. A home wherein the flow of the seasons and the passages of life are celebrated through the symbols of our jewish heritage. A home filled with reverence for learning, loving and generosity. A home wherein ancient melody, candles and wine sanctify the table. A home joined ever more closely to the community of Israel. This marriage has been authorized also by the civil authorities of___. IT IS VALID AND BINDING.

EGALITARIAN TEXT 3

On the ___day of the week, the___day of the month of___in the year___corresponding to the ___day of____in the year___here in____ The Groom ___son of___and___promised the Bride___"You are my wife according to the tradition of Moses and Israel. I shall cherish you and honor you as is customary among the sons of Israel who have cherished and honored their wives in faithfulness and in integrity." The Bride___daughter of ___and___promised the Groom "You are my husband according to the tradition of Moses and Israel. I shall cherish you and honor you as is customary among the daughters of Israel who have cherished and honored their husbands in faithfulness and in integrity."

The Groom and Bride have also promised each other to strive throughout their lives together to achieve an openness which will enable them to share their thoughts, their feelings and their experiences. To be sensitive at all times to each other's needs; to attain mutual intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual fulfillment; to work for the perpetuation of Judaism and of the Jewish people in their home, in their family life and in their communal endeavors. This marriage has been authorized also by the civil authorities of___. IT IS VALID AND BINDING

THE KETUBAH TEXT

Many couples looking for a Ketubah are confronted with the problem of text. Each branch of Judaism has its own textual considerations. The Orthodox text is standard, but there are different acceptable spellings of certain words. The Conservative text is longer, due to the addition of the Leiberman clause. The Reform text is generally egalitarian but it differs from city to city, country to country. The Sephardic Jews have an entirely different text that comes from the Palestinian Talmud. Where does a couple start?

THE RABBI

The rabbi who officiates at the wedding is usually the one who decides which text will be used. It goes without saying that an Orthodox rabbi will want an Orthodox text etc. If the couple is concerned about the validity of the Ketubah in a country such as Israel, then the choice of rabbi and text will be guided by this. If they want an egalitarian ceremony with an egalitarian text, they will fare better with a Reform Rabbi. Some liberal Rabbis may even allow the couple to customize the text within the guidelines of tradition.

TEXT VERSUS DESIGN

Once the rabbi and the couple have agreed that a text is acceptable, then the couple must find a ketubah that satisfies both their design taste and text considerations. Because most Ketubot on the market are mass produced prints, this is not always possible. Compromises are then made and the couple buys what is textually appropriate, though they may not be satisfied with the design. THE KETUBAH WORKSHOP eliminates this problem by making any text available with any design. The choice is up to the couple; an Orthodox couple and a Reform couple can enjoy the same artwork with their respective texts.

A FINE HANDPAINTED KETUBAH IS THE PERFECT

ADDITION TO THE WEDDING CEREMONY.