Choosing Quotes for Your Ketubah

What is a quote?

It is traditional to add a short biblical or Jewish quote in Hebrew to ketubot as an inscription or theme. Many modern ketubot add the English translation as well. As the tradition has evolved, more options have become standard.

Whether you want to preserve the traditions or use something more personally meaningful, there is space on most ketubot to include your choice. Some designs need quotes to fill a blank space, but many can leave them off if not desired.

The Text Order Form has menus for two quotes. Generally Quote 1 is above the text or signatures and Quote 2 is below, but I may switch them depending on what looks best on your chosen design.

Your choices are not limited to what is contained in those menus. You can add custom quotes by pasting them into the “Special Instructions” field on the order form. Please also include whether you want your custom quote translated to Hebrew and if you want them to go in a certain spot, ie “French only, ‘Je t’aime’ above the signatures” or “‘Love is like a tree, it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being.’ — Victor Hugo, Hebrew & English, Hebrew in Quote 1 spot and English in Quote 2”.

Beyond “I am my Beloved’s and My Beloved is mine”

By now, you've shopped around and you've encountered, “I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.” On the one hand, it’s a classic theme for Jewish weddings for a reason - its symmetry, sentiment, and history are appealing and reassuring.

On the other hand, it is everywhere. For couples wanting something just a little bit different, its ubiquitousness may make their ketubah much feel less “theirs.” It may surprise many people to learn that it is not the most traditional option.

Before the 20th century, the most common phrases used were “Siman Tov and Mazel Tov” (lit. translated as, Good Signs and Good Luck), and “Matza Eisha, Matza Tov” (lit. translated as, found a wife/woman, found goodness/well). Other ketubot used the Sheva Brachot (seven blessings) from the wedding ceremony, sometimes including only a few phrases and sometimes including the entire text. Wedding dates and the family names were often incorporated into the art as well.

  • Source: Traditional

    This phrase is part of a traditional Jewish song, sung at weddings and other joyful events, but is much older than the song. It appears on historical ketubot from at least the 16th century onwards. It is variously written in Aramaic or Hebrew.

    The song:

    Siman tov umazal tov
    Umazal tov vesiman tov
    Yehe lanu.
    Yehe lanu, yehe lanu
    Ulechol Yisrael.

    Good fortune and good luck
    And good luck and good fortune
    will come to us.
    It will come to us, to us
    And to all Israel.

    (Israel in this context refers to all Jewish people as this tradition predates the founding of the modern state of Israel).

  • Source: Biblical
    Song of Songs (Song of Solomon 6:3)

    In context (Ch 6:2-3):
    My beloved went down to his garden, to the beds of the spice, to delight himself in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, who is delighting himself among the lilies.

  • Source: Biblical
    Song of Songs 3:4

    In context:
    I met the watchmen
    Who patrol the town.
    “Have you seen the one I love?”
    Scarcely had I passed them
    When I found the one I love.
    I held him fast, I would not let him go

    This phrase has been variously translated as "I found the one I love," "I found my soul's love," "I found my soul mate," "I found my soul that is love" and many other versions. The version I use is poetic capturing the feeling rather than the literal meaning: "I have found my heart's delight." (The other translations are of course possible to use if preferred - indicate which you prefer in the special instructions field of the order form).

  • Source: Biblical: Hosea 2:21

    In context (translation from Revised JPS 2023):

    And I will espouse you forever:
    I will espouse you with righteousness and justice,
    And with goodness and mercy,
    And I will espouse you with faithfulness;
    Then you shall be devoted to GOD.

  • Source: Biblical, Book of Ruth, 1:16

    In context:
    And Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God;
    where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.’

    Ruth, often called the first convert, pledges to stay with her mother-in-law after the death of Ruth's spouse. Despite the grim context, this quote has been used in many weddings with the couple reading it together under the chuppah. It is an especially moving moment during wedding ceremonies.

  • Source: Biblical, Proverbs 3:17-18

    Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all of its paths are peace.
    It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and those who bolster it are fortunate.

    The Tree of Life is generally interpreted to refer to Torah (and all Jewish learning).

  • Source: Pirkei Avot

  • Source Pirkei Avot

    Although not traditionally used as a ketubah quote, some couples have used it in recent years to affirm their commitment to leading fulfilling lives.

  • Source: Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

    In context:
    The Baal Shem Tov was orphaned from his father, the hidden tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer, at the age of five. The last words spoken to him by his holy father before his passing were: "Yisrolik, fear nothing but G‑d alone. Love every single Jew, without exception, with the full depth of your heart and with the fire of your soul, no matter who he is or how he behaves."

    A nice list of other teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.

  • Source: commonly attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, but may come from a story about him.

Colorful floral design with Hebrew text and an English translation saying, 'I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.'

The tradition is broad enough to allow for personally meaningful quotes. However, if you are getting an Orthodox ketubah, you may want to stick to Siman Tov or Matza Eisha or your full Hebrew names with the Hebrew date. (As with many things, you should check with your rabbi to confirm the best minhag).

For those getting a progressive ketubah, the choices are only limited by the quote’s length. Long quotes are possible in some designs, but most will not be able to accommodate full song lyrics or even a longish poem. The quotes may be in any language, although I won’t be able to provide translation or proofreading for anything aside from Hebrew and English.

The default options are explained below, but this list is meant as a starting point rather than a conclusion.