Orthodox
English Translation
On the ___ day of the week, the ___ day of the month _____ in the year five thousand seven hundred and eighty-two according to the Jewish calendar here in _______, ______, the groom, _______, son of _____, said to the bride, _____, daughter of _____, “Be my wife according to the laws and traditions of Moses and Israel and I will cherish, honor, support, and maintain you as is the way of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support, and maintain their wives faithfully. I present you with the marriage gift proper to Jewish brides, one/two hundred silver zuzim, which belongs to you according to the laws of Moses and Israel. I will also give you food, clothing, and necessities and live faithfully with you as your husband.” And ____, the bride, accepted and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought with her in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture, and bedclothes all this ____, the groom, accepted in the sum of fifty/one hundred silver zuzim, and ____, the groom, consented to increase this amount from his own property with an additional fifty/one hundred silver zuzim, making in all one/two hundred silver zuzim. ____ the groom, said, “The responsibility for this ketubah, the trousseau and the additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me so that it shall be paid from the best part of my property and all possessions that I have beneath the whole heaven which I now possess or may ever acquire. All my property, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this ketubah, the trousseau and the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death from the present day until forever.” _____, the groom, has taken upon himself the responsibility for this ketubah, the trousseau and the addition made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all ketubot and the addition to them made for Jewish women according to the wisdom of our sages of blessed memory. This ketubah is not to be regarded as a mere formula or a document without meaning. We have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery, the kinyan, between ____, son of ____, the groom, and ____, the daughter of ____, this bride, and everything written in this contract is valid and binding.
Text Information
This text is available in Aramaic and English for Jewish couples
(no same sex versions are currently available)
Estimated Word Count:
Orthodox Aramaic: 280 words
English translation: 408 words
Meeting with your rabbi to find out what their requirements are before you order a ketubah will save a lot of time. It will allow you to find out what traditions should be incorporated into your ketubah, and get correct spellings for your Hebrew names and the wedding location.
By default, the standard format for all Orthodox ketubot is full-justified, the witnesses’ signatures appear immediately following the Aramaic text, and the stem is removed from the ק in the word, וקנינא. When a ketubah on this website is shown with both Hebrew or Aramaic and English, but only Aramaic is preferred, an Aramaic Only option is available. (Some ketubot look better with both languages, but the single language is still available).
Size Recommendation:
Hebrew & English: Medium
Hebrew/Aramaic Only: Small
Who signs this ketubah?
2 Witnesses who are adult Jewish men and traditionally observant, and not related to either bride or groom
Some rabbis permit the groom to also sign the text, but many do not
Signature lines may not be customized with this text without a rabbi’s instruction
Can this text be customized?
The Aramaic wording has some traditional variations and those may be used at the direction of a rabbi.
If English is permitted by the couple’s rabbi, it may be customized to suit the couple.
What information do I need to order this text?
Secular wedding date and time
City & State of wedding location
Hebrew names for the couple (see What is a Hebrew Name?)
Bride’s Status (previously unmarried/widowed/divorced/converted)
Bride’s father’s status (living or deceased)
If using an English translation, full names for the couple in English
If using an English translation, first and last names for parents in English, if including them
How do I give you my information?
A Ketubah Text Order Form will pop up when you add a ketubah to your shopping cart.
Other resources for Orthodox ketubah
Sample Proofs
Orthodox Ketubah for previously divorced brides
Orthodox Ketubah for previously widowed brides
A traditional ketubah and timeless art - authentically Jewish and authentically artistic without compromising either side of the equation
As with all ketubah texts, every Orthodox ketubah comes with a set of Proofs to make sure your ketubah is error free. (Here is a sample set of Proofs so that you know what to expect). If your rabbi prefers to prepare your text himself and have me use that text, there is no additional charge - this is included in the standard price. You can send it via email after you place your order. Many Orthodox rabbis will accept a ketubah that uses the Orthodox Aramaic text and an English text of your choice, a translation or any other text, as long as the English and Aramaic are clearly separated in some way. If you like this idea, please check with your rabbi before purchasing as some rabbis do not accept any additional text outside of the Aramaic. If your rabbi has other requirements, I am absolutely willing to accommodate. Please let me know on the special instructions section of the text selection form.
Helpful Hints
Some designs may not be suitable for Orthodox ketubot - if in doubt, ask your rabbi before ordering.
Many rabbis who require this text in Aramaic will allow it to be paired with a different English text as long as the English is visually separate from the Aramaic Ketubah text.
By default this text is prepared with the most common traditions in mind. However, if there is special wording or a tradition that your rabbi requires, those can be incorporated by request.
