Guide to Text Categories

The traditional Aramaic ketubah records the legal and spiritual bond between partners under Jewish law. It has precise requirements and is often supervised by a rabbi. Two witnesses are required to sign immediately after the text.

Variations in the wording of the Aramaic text for specific community traditions are always allowed, especially under rabbinic instruction. While the default text at Ketubah Arts is Ashkenazi, Sephardic and other versions are supported.

Often paired with an English translation or a modern English text with signatures for the Bride & Groom and sometimes the officiant.

Conservative texts balance tradition and Jewish legal requirements with ensuring mutual rights and fairness within halakhic frameworks. This category includes the traditional text and the Brit Ahuvim text, both with the Lieberman Clause unless requested otherwise.

Frequently paired with either an English translation or a different text in English.

Typically if your officiant is Conservative, you are required to use a Conservative movement text, although some Conservative rabbis allow using an Orthodox text or egalitarian traditional text on a case by case basis.

Modern and inclusive, Reform ketubah texts affirm Jewish identity, allow couples to define the atmosphere of their Jewish household and the emotional terms of their marriage. They focus less on tradition and the legal or practical aspects of Jewish marriage and more on the symbolic affirmation and celebration of Jewish belonging.

While many texts are labeled “Reform,” they are not issued by the Reform movement and really should be considered part of a broad progressive category that includes texts written by and for the Reform movement, Reconstructionists, the Renewal movement, Humanists and secular Jews. The content varies significantly depending on the source and the couple’s preferences.

A subset of progressive ketubah texts, Interfaith texts are created for couples bridging different faith or cultural backgrounds.

Interfaith is a very broad label, encompassing a large spectrum of mixed background couples. The Jewish background of Jews in Interfaith relationships can be nearly as broad as the variety of interfaith partners, some of whom are mostly secular and willing to participate in Judaism and some of whom are committed to other faith traditions.

While some texts at Ketubah Arts are labelled Interfaith, there are many more text options that are suitable for interfaith couples that do not have a label.

There are two categories of LGBTQ+ texts: Brit Ahuvim and Progressive texts.

Brit Ahuvim, originally written specifically for same-sex couples, center equality and mutuality without gendered hierarchy and define commitment in Jewish ethical terms. Not surprisingly, these values appeal to a wide range of couples, including cis-gender & straight couples, as well as diverse gender couples. (Brit Ahuvim are available for all couples)

In addition to the Brit Ahuvim, all of the progressive texts at Ketubah Arts are available to LGBTQ+ couples (and have been since the first ketubah commissioned in 1998), because loving relationships have more in common than just who we love and how we define our gender expression.

For vow renewals and milestone celebrations, these reaffirm love, commitment, and gratitude across years together. They may reference the original wedding or stand alone as a new covenant.

Some couples use wedding texts with their original wedding dates and add a short statement celebrating their lives together.

Signatures are optional for anniversary texts but Renewals typically have the couple and witnesses sign. Sometimes adult children sign as witnesses or in a separate section of signatures, labelled Dor le-Dor (from generation to generation).

Text may be Hebrew & English, Hebrew Only or English Only.

You’re welcome to use any custom text for your ketubah, including adding additional languages. There is no fee to do so.

Finding new ways to say that you love each other can be pretty difficult, but is well worth the effort. You may want to start with a text and cross out all the parts you don't like or reword the parts you do like, then add in things that are missing. As you write, remember that originality is not necessarily the goal - a heartfelt and sincere statement will be meaningful if it says something real about you and your commitment to each other.

If you get stuck with wording, feel free to reach out and ask for help. Ginny has been writing ketubah texts for decades and may have just the right phrase to help.

A traditional ketubah is a foundation to build upon. This is the Ketubah text as it has been used by Jewish families for centuries.

Emphasizing commitment to each other, Judaism, shared communal values, and the desire to have a welcoming Jewish home, this text is designed to accommodate couples who are comfortable with mainstream Reform Judaism.

Discovery and joy are threaded through this romantic text. the promises made are universal and passionate, courageous and tender. “We have found enclosed in each other’s hearts a world of bliss.”

Devotion to a shared journey of love and Tikkun Olam define this ketubah text. The commitment described here is based on a shared vision of the future filled with companionship and hope.

Creating a Jewish family is joyful in this variation of the Reform text. Contains a commitment to raise any future children in a Jewish household.

Jewish and proud, but not really comfortable with all the God language? Then this variant of the Reform text is for you.

Designed to accommodate couples who come from different religious backgrounds who are spiritually monotheistic, agnostic, or committed to their own faiths. This text includes language about God and the holy covenant of marriage, but in neutral, nonspecific terms that leaves room to respect each other’s origins.

This nature inspired ketubah text written with Interfaith couples in mind, but great for anyone who loves nature, invites loved ones with diverse traditions and beliefs to celebrate the couple, knowing that love transcends boundaries. “These signatures seal our ketubah, a milestone on our shared journey. Together, we will navigate the path ahead, hand in hand, guided by love and respect.”

As labels go, “interfaith” encompasses everyone from mostly atheist couples to deeply religious couples who are committed to different faiths. This text is written for mostly secular couples from different backgrounds or who may not agree on a religious stance.

“Standing under the chuppah, we celebrate a feeling as old as the stars in the heavens and as sweet and new as a clear morning’s dawn…” Love and passion, friendship growing into romance, and uniting lives with deep promises, this nontraditional text is all about the couple’s commitment to each other.

A poetic egalitarian text centered around Jewish values, these words are the foundation for a Jewish home centered on love, respect, and caring. “Our lives together will grow like a Tree of Life, sheltering and sustaining us and ever growing.”

“We don’t know where life will take us next, but we can’t wait to see it hand in hand.” Whether you are celebrating 5 years or 50, an anniversary ketubah is a wonderful way to mark the significance of time passing and your love growing.

When you choose each other again every day, marking an important anniversary is a wonderful reason to have a party and refresh your commitment.

Written to sanctify same sex marriages within Jewish tradition, this text emphasizes companionship and a commitment to Jewish values that is suitable for all future Jewish households.

Available in Hebrew or Aramaic, the Conservative ketubah text updates the traditional ketubah text with egalitarian values.

Dreamers and lovers building a life commitment is the central theme of this romantic modern text. “Together we dreamed of a future life. Our love thrived upon that dream and nurtured our hearts, so that we can’t imagine a future without seeing each other in it. Even when we are far apart, our hearts are together. We are apparently two, but one in heart.”

“With gratitude for the love that has brought us together, we enter into this covenant of marriage, surrounded by the blessings of our loved ones and the hope for a future filled with shared adventures, support, and endless laughter.” Equal parts solemn and joyful, this text is perfect for couples who love to laugh together.

This text focuses on the basics: who, when, where, and what. It works equally well for interfaith and other couples. It is also a nice addition to a traditional text for those who do not want a full translation but do want to see their wedding date and names in English.

Whether you have just the right words from another source or you have written your own, custom texts are a wonderful connection to innovation and tradition.

This egalitarian partnership agreement goes beyond the basic responsibilities of Jewish spouses and defines the relationship as a mutual responsibility that encompasses emotional labor and a shared Jewish life, placed within the context of Jewish text and structure.

Required for couples getting married by Reform rabbis in Canada, but used in many other locations, this lovely egalitarian text contains promises to cherish, to respect each other, and to work together for mutual sustenance.

This special text allows each person to write their own ketubah promises, to be revealed at the ketubah signing. The proofs will be sent individually with the other person’s section blocked out. Primarily intended for interfaith couples, but may be paired with a traditional text as long as you’ve cleared it with your rabbi.

“May our lives be enriched with blessings and growth, and may our love stand as a guiding light, uplifting and inspiring us, as true best friends and devoted partners, for all the days to come. We are, now and always, better together.”

Rabbi Gordon Tucker’s Egalitarian Ketubah offers a full reworking of the traditional ketubah into a covenant of equals. Where the classical text centers on the groom’s unilateral obligations toward the bride, Tucker’s version reframes marriage as a partnership built on reciprocity, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.