How to Buy the Right Ketubah

This article explains what you need according to Jewish Law to know to purchase a ketubah for Reform, Conservative or Orthodox weddings.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The bride and groom's Hebrew names
• The parents of the bride and grooom's Hebrew names
• The Hebrew wedding date (or at least the regular wedding date and specify if it before or after sundown)
• The tribe of the father of the bride and groom-are they a Cohen, Levi or Israelite?
• The status of the bride according to Jewish Law-1st marriage, divorced, and/or convert. If you are divorced and a convert, you must consult with the officiating rabbi, or contact www.ketubah-gallery.c

1. 
   The Trees Ketubah, by Marion Zimmer

   Choose your officiating rabbi and ask him what his text preference is: Orthodox, Conserivative or Reform. Hint: An orthodox rabbi will only accept an orthodox text. Most conservative rabbis will accept either orthodox or conservative. Reform rabbis might insist on an egalitarian text, or let the couple decide for themselves.

2. 
   An Orthodox with English text. Calligraphy by Marion Zimmer.

   Gather up all your Hebrew information that is needed to fill in the ketubah. This includes your parents Hebrew names, the bride and grooms Hebrew names. If you are getting married by a very orthodox rabbi, he may insist on seeing your parent's original ketubah as proof of your 'Jewishness'.

3. 
   Bride and Groom with an Orthodox hand painted ketubah. Bride is modestly dressed according to tradition.

   Decide your budget and choose your artwork. You can either visit your local judaica shop if you are in a city with a large Jewish population, or visit http://www.ketubah-gallery.com for reasonably priced reproductions, or if you want to have a ketubah hand painted, you can commision an artist through www.ketubah-gallery.com or someone you may know.

4. 
   The Celebrations Ketubah

   Have the gallery or artist where you purchase the ketubah contact your rabbi to make sure all Hebrew spellings, including city and state, are accurate on the ketubah and make sure they approve the text prior to finalizing your order.

Tips & Warnings

• be sure to ask the gallery if it is hand calligraphy or computer fonts on the ketubah
• make sure it is printed on acid free paper so it won't discolor over time
• Don't buy a ketubah as a suprise gift. Art work is a personal choice and most couples like to choose it for themselves.

Resources

• http://www.jessyjudaica.com

[ketubah]

on 3/14/2008 Corrected URl: http://www.TheKetubahCompany.com

[ketubah]

on 3/10/2008 More info and ketubot at:
The Ketubah Company
http://www.TheKetubahompany.com