Ketubah Texts
Poetic
This ketubah witnesses before God and all present that on the ____day of _____in the year _____ in the community of _____ the holy covenant of marriage was commenced between the bride _____ and the groom _____. Surrounded by family and friends andthe rich consort of acquaintances we call community, we declare our commitment to each other as husband and wife. Our lives shall now be forever intertwined. We will celebrate each day together with reverence, respect and joy. In times of plenty we will cherish each other and in times of difficulty we will protect each other. We will fill our home with generosity and warmth and share freely with all who dwell there. Willingly we commence this promise of companionship and love. Together from this day forward we are as one.
Poetic (sans G-d)
This ketubah shall bare witness that on the ____day of _____in the year _____ in the community of _____ the covenant of marriage was commenced between the bride _____ and the groom _____. Surrounded by family and friends and the rich consort of acquaintances we call community, we declare our commitment to each other as husband and wife. Our lives shall now be forever intertwined. We will celebrate each day together with reverence, respect and joy. In times of plenty we will cherish each other and in times of difficulty we will protect each other. We will fill our home with generosity and warmth and share freely with all who dwell there. Willingly we commence this promise of companionship and love. Together from this day forward we are as one.
Reform and / or Conservative
On the ___ day of ___, in the year ___, son of ___, and ___, daughter of ___, join each other before friends and family to declare a mutual covenant as husband and wife, partners in life, a bond called marriage. With our signatures on this Ketubah, _____, the bride, and ____, the groom, promise to love and honor each other as has been the custom of past generations that have followed the ancient tradition of Israel and the noble laws of Moses. We promise to create a nurturing environment in which to share our day-to-day experiences. We promise to endear and protect one another from outside and from within. We promise to support each other in times of sorrow, and relish each other in times of joy. And we promise, of course, to allow each other to blossom into the future that has yet to be. Now, as a couple in the eyes of the world and within our own hearts, to the best of our abilities, and from this moment forward, we are as one.
Interfaith
On the ___ day of ___, in the year ___, son of ___, and ___, daughter of ___, join each other before those present to declare a mutual covenant as husband and wife, partners in life, a bond called marriage. The groom, ___, promises that he will love, honor, and respect his new wife. The bride, ___, promises that she will, in turn, love, honor, and respect her new husband. With our signatures on this Ketubah we promise to create a nurturing environment in which to share our day-to-day experiences. We promise to endear and protect one another from outside and from within. We promise to support each other in times of sorrow, and relish each other in times of joy. And we promise, of course, to allow each other to blossom into the future that has yet to be. Now, as a couple in the eyes of the world and within our own hearts, to the best of our abilities, and from this moment forward, we are as one.
Orthodox
On the ___ day of ___, in the year ___, son of ___, and ___, daughter of ___, join each other before family and friends to make a mutual covenant as husband and wife, partners in life, a bond called marriage. The groom, ___, affirms: "From this moment forward, I acknowledge you as my wife according to the ancient traditions of Israel and the noble laws of Moses. In faithful mind and deed I pledge my life to you.” The bride, ___, affirms: "From this moment forward, I acknowledge you as my husband according to the ancient traditions of Israel and the noble laws of Moses. In faithful mind and deed I pledge my life to you.” With our signatures on this Ketubah we promise to create a nurturing environment in which to share our day-to-day experiences. We promise to endear and protect one another from outside and from within. We promise to support each other in times of sorrow, and relish each other in times of joy. And we promise, of course, to allow each other to blossom into the future that has yet to be. Now, as a couple in the eyes of the world and within our own hearts, to the best of our abilities, and from this moment forward, we are as one.
Secular
On the ___ day of ___, in the year ___, _____, the groom and _____, the bride, join each other before those present to declare a mutual covenant as husband and wife, partners in life, a bond called marriage. ___, promises that he will love and honor, respect and listen to ____, his new wife. ___promises that she will, in turn, love, honor, respect and listen to ____, even when he’s wrong. With our signatures on this Ketubah we promise to go the distance throughout our lives to create a nurturing environment in which to share our day-to-day experiences. We promise to endear and protect one another from outside and from within. We promise to support each other in times of sorrow, and relish each other in times of joy. And we promise, of course, to allow each other to blossom into the future that has yet to be. Now, as a couple in the eyes of the world and within our own hearts, to the best of our abilities, and from this moment forward, we are as one.
All Ketubah All the Time
This ketubah witnesses before God and all those present that on ________ of the year _______ , the Holy Covenant of Marriage was entered into at ________ between the bride,________ daughter of________ and the groom________ son of ________. And both declared: According to the traditions of Moses and the people Israel, we are consecrated unto each other. We desire our lives to be intertwined forever and for our love to be eternal. We shall treasure, respect and honor each other. We shall support each other in achieving spiritual, intellectual and emotional fulfillment. We promise to be full and equal partners in life and to do everything within our power to permit each of us to become the persons we are yet to be. Together may we create a home that is rich with wisdom and caring, built on Torah and acts of lovingkindness, a home filled with love, learning, and generosity. May we celebrate the flow of the seasons and the passages of life with joy and reverence. May our lives together be illuminated by our people's heritage. From this day forward we are as one. Accordingly, we enter into this covenant of love, companionship, peace and friendship. And all herein is valid and binding.
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 love and integrity. With this ring you are consecrated unto me as my wife according to the tradition of Moses and the Jewish people. I shall treasure you, nourish you, support you and respect you as Jewish men have devoted themselves to their wives with love and 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; and above all, to do everything within our power to permit each of us to become the persons we are yet to be. 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 people Israel. And all is valid and binding.
With this ring may we be consecrated unto each other. Let our lives be intertwined forever. I will be your loving friend as you are mine. And 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. Set me as a seal upon your heart like the seal upon your hand. And I shall cherish you, honor you, uphold and sustain you in all truth and sincerity. Let our hearts beat as one in days of joy as of sorrow. Let our home be built on understanding and acts of loving kindness. May our home be rich with wisdom and reverence. Accordingly, we enter this covenant of love, companionship, peace and friendship. And all is valid and binding.
The agreement is a holy covenant like the ancient covenants of our people, made in faithfulness and peace to stand forever. It is a covenant of protection and hope. It is a covenant of devotion, joining hearts like the covenant David and Jonathan made, as it is said, And Jonathan's soul was bound up with the soul of David. Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. It is a covenant of mutual lovingkindness like the wedding covenant between God and Zion, as it is said, I will espouse you forever, I will espouse you with righteousness and justice and lovingkindness and compassion. I will espouse you in faithfulness and you shall know God. The following are the provisions of the lovers' covenant : We declare that we have chosen each other as companions and that we are setting ourselves apart for each other. We hereby assume all the rights and obligations that apply to family members: to attend, care, and provide for one another. We commit ourselves to a life of kindness and righteousness as a Jewish family and to work together toward the communal task of mending the world. Set me as a seal upon your heart like the seal upon your arm for love is stronger than death. To this covenant we affix our signatures.
Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And I here present you with the marriage gift of (virgins), (two hundred) silver zuzim, which belongs to you, according the the law of Moses and Israel; and I will also give you your food, clothing and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to universal custom. And the bride, this (virgin) consented and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her (father's) house in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this and so much more, the said bridegroom accepted in the sum of (one hundred ) silver pieces, and the bridegroom, consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of (one hundred) silver pieces, making in all (two hundred) silver pieces. And thus said the bridegroom: "The responsibility of this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part of my property and possession that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage contract, of the trousseau, and of the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death, from the present day and forever." The bridegroom, has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the trousseau and the addition made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additions to them made for the daughters of Israel, according to the institution of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document. We have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery (kinyan) between the groom and bride this (virgin), and we have used a garment legally fit for the purpose, to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and confirmed.
And both together agreed that if this marriage shall ever be dissolved under civil law, then either husband or wife may invoke the authority of the Beth Din of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America or its duly authorized representatives, to decide what action by either spouse is then appropriate under Jewish matrimonial law; and if either spouse shall fail to honor the demand of the other or to carry out the decision of the Beth Din or its representative, then the other spouse may invoke any and all remedies available in civil law and equity to enforce compliance with the Beth Din's decision and this solemn obligation.
The groom and the bride stood under the Chuppah, in the presence of family and friends, and entered into this mutual holy covenant of marriage as equal partners, loving friends, supportive companions, and passionate soul mates all through life, making the following declarations: With this ring, I invite you to walk life's path together with me and consecrate you unto me, as my spouse. With your acceptance, you choose the same, a merging of our lives, our worlds, our souls, distinct as individuals, united by our bond, two paths now bound as one, yet boundless in opportunity, direction, and love, and even broader in horizon than the greatest possible sum of both paths, if journeyed without the other side by side. Always respectful of the paths which God has led each of us on, to arrive at this union together, we will value and revere the divine image within one another with honor, integrity, loyalty, and devotion as we create a loving future together. We will work together, to bring out in ourselves and in each other qualities of forgiveness, compassion, and virtue. Our love will provide us with the determination to be ourselves while cherishing each other's uniqueness. We promise to share in each other's aspirations and empower each other to fulfill our goals and pursue our physical, intellectual, and spiritual potential and dreams. We will create a closeness that will enable us to express our innermost thoughts and feelings. We promise to treasure and nourish one another; to be sensitive and responsive at all times to each other's needs; to talk and to listen; to honor, respect, appreciate, and be tender to one another. We promise to always be honest and open; to support each other through all of life's challenges; to comfort one another through all of life's sorrows; to share and celebrate with each other all of life's joys; to take nothing for granted-not health, not wealth, not life, not peace, not love, and never each other. We will build a home together and fill it with laughter, empathy, faith, imagination, trust, friendship, companionship, and love. A home in which holidays and traditions are celebrated in accordance with our heritages; a home devoted to learning, charity, and acts of kindness to each other and all whom we may touch; a home where all good souls are welcome. We will be a family and provide for each other's physical and emotional needs, and the needs of those we love. We will demonstrate courtesy and compassion and always attempt to be role models for the values that we cherish. May we always enjoy The Lord's blessings, remaining in good grace and mindful of the elusive and fragile nature of life, relationships, and all their components that we enjoy each day. May our lives blossom together; our souls be intertwined forever, woven tight in the deepest of intimacy. May we be slow to anger, quick to forgive, and live each day as the first, the last, the only day we will have with each other on this earth. We joyfully enter into this covenant and solemnly accept the obligations herein. Blessed Art Thou O Lord Our God King Of The Universe, who causes bride and groom to rejoice together, through our faith and commitment to you and each other, all of this we take upon ourselves as valid and binding.
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; and above all to do everything within our power to permit each of us to become the persons we are yet to be. 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.
We promise to accept each other's individuality, to comfort and support each other's worldly and spiritual needs even through life's disappointments and sorrows. We will support and encourage each other's religious and spiritual growth and respect our religious traditions. We will revel and share in each other's joys and accomplishments, share our hopes and dreams through a lifetime of learning and discussion. We strive for intimacy, insight, patience and affection. We promise to bring out in each other and ourselves compassion, apology and forgiveness. These will allow us to accomplish this promise and permit us to become the persons we are yet to be. We agree to create a warm and generous home open to all, a home based on love, understanding, and respect for all people. We promise to pursue the realization of a peaceful and just world. May we live each day as the first, the last, the only day we will have with each other. All of this we take upon ourselves as valid and binding.
With this ceremony we affirm our intention to provide for each other the protections and privileges of this sacred union. These rings symbolize our commitment to each other as beloveds and friends before God and these witnesses. May our love provide us with the freedom to be ourselves, and the courage to follow our mutual and individual paths. May our lives be intertwined forever and be blessed with loyalty and devotion. As we share life's experiences, we vow to create an intimacy that will enable us to express our innermost thoughts and feelings. We vow to respect and treasure each other, and treat one another with kindness. We vow to remain sensitive to each other's needs, desires and dreams. We vow to share the joys in life and comfort each other in times of sorrow. We vow to support each other in intellectual, physical and spiritual pursuits. We vow to care for each other's emotional well being with compassion and tenderness. We vow to establish a home committed to the creation of an all-inclusive society. We look forward to building a family filled with love, peace, learning and laughter. We joyfully enter into this covenant and solemnly accept the obligations herein.
The said Bridegroom made the following declaration to his Bride: "Be thou my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel. I faithfully promise that I will be a true husband unto thee; I will honor and cherish thee; I will work for thee; I will protect and support thee, and will provide all that is necessary for thy sustenance, even as it beseemeth a Jewish husband to do. I also take upon myself all such further obligations for thy maintenance, as are prescribed by our religious statute". And the said Bride has plighted her troth unto him in affection and in sincerity, and has thus taken upon herself the fulfillment of all the duties incumbent upon a Jewish wife. The miracle of our love seals this document. [Feel free to add any special verse or quote.]