Selecting your ketubah text
Selecting your ketubah text can be one of the trickiest parts of the process. After all, it’s what the whole ketubah is about! But after having customized thousands of ketubahs and worked with hundreds of Rabbis, we can walk you through the process. Before you begin, we recommend having a conversation with your Rabbi about what (if any) requirements they have for your text.
Once you know your Rabbi's preferences, you have a number of options. You can select from one of the many Hebrew texts below, you can write your own ketubah text in English for our team to translate into Hebrew, or you can omit the Hebrew or English entirely. We work with a team of certified, professional translators from Israel to ensure your translated Hebrew ketubah text is accurate.
A special note for our LGBTQ+ clients: Each Hebrew text is available in three standard versions: bride-groom, bride-bride and groom-groom. We can also use a special font to omit gender for our non-binary clients. Pronouns and words such as “bride,” “groom,” and “partner” can be changed at no additional cost. Have questions about how we can accurately reflect your identity in your ketubah text? Please don't hesitate to reach out.
Orthodox Ketubah Texts
The traditional RCA Orthodox text is a legal document that been a part of Jewish history for over 2000 years. It is written in the ancient language of Aramaic. In it, the groom assumes specific financial obligations to ensure that his wife's future will be secure in the event that their marriage ends. As such, the document is primarily written for the protection of the bride.
When you select a the RCA Orthodox ketubah text, you have the option of having no English text, choosing a direct translation of the Orthodox text, or any of the other English texts available on Ink with Intent. You may also write your own English text for no additional charge.
We also have available the United Kingdom Orthodox text, which is required by Chief Rabbi in the UK.
Conservative Ketubah Texts
The traditional Conservative ketubah text with Lieberman Clause is almost the same as the Orthodox text with one critical difference - the addition of the Lieberman Clause. The Lieberman Clause was added to the standard Conservative ketubah text by the Conservative movement in order to grant wives additional protection within the marriage. The clause allows for either spouse to initiate a dissolution of the marriage, not just the husband.
In more recent years, two other alternative kosher Conservative ketubah texts have emerged. The first is written by Rabbi Gordon Tucker, and it is a more egalitarian approach to the traditional Aramaic text. The second is written by Rabbis Elliot Dorff and Avraham Reisner and was intended to provide an alternative for same-sex couples who wanted a conservative text. We are excited to offer both options here.
When you select any of the Conservative ketubah texts, you have the option of having no English text, a direct translation of the Conservative text, or any of the other English texts available on Ink with Intent. You may also write your own English text for no additional charge.
Egalitarian Ketubah Texts
This option is an Egalitarian interpretation of the traditional ketubah text. This version was written by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg who adapted it from an original text by Rabbi Aryeh Cohen. The Hebrew of this text contains a clause called "t'nai b'kiddushin" that the Conservative movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards approved in 1969. This clause is similar in concept to the Lieberman clause, but it does not require the intervention of a government court in the case of a one-sided divorce.
When you select the Egalitarian ketubah text, you have the option of having no English text, a direct translation of the Egalitarian text, or any of the other English texts available on Ink with Intent. You may also write your own English text for no additional charge.
Reform Ketubah Texts
Reform Ketubah texts are written in modern Hebrew and are more poetic interpretations of the original 2000 year old Aramaic texts.
When you select one of the Reform ketubah texts, you have the option of having no English text, a direct translation of the Reform text, or any of the other English texts available on Ink with Intent. You may also write your own English text for no additional charge.
Interfaith Ketubah Texts
The Interfaith ketubah text is written in modern Hebrew and English and is appropriate for couples coming from multiple religious backgrounds.
Secular / Secular Humanistic Ketubah Texts
The Secular ketubah text is written in modern Hebrew and English. It makes no reference to religion and is therefore appropriate for secular couples who still wish to honor their Jewish heritage.
The Secular Humanistic texts are standardized texts required by the Association of Humanistic Rabbis and the Leadership Conference of Secular and Humanistic Jews. That said, these texts are popular with couples from all backgrounds and are also appropriate for couples having an interfaith marriage. The copyright for this text belongs to the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism.
Traditional Wedding Vows Ketubah Text
This text is a direct Hebrew translation of the traditional American wedding vows.
B'RIT AHUVIM: LOVERS' COVENANT
The B'rit Ahuvim is a ritual document sometimes added to the kiddushin ceremony for couples looking for a more egalitarian betrothal. It was written by prominent Jewish feminist theologian Rachel Adler and is offered here with her permission.
Because this text is longer that most of the traditional ketubah texts, the design of certain ketubahs may need to be tweaked in order to accommodate it. As with all our designs, you will see a full proof of the text and artwork before it is finalized.
LGBTQ+ Ketubah Texts
Each ketubah text on this page (with the exception of Orthodox) is available in three versions: bride-groom, bride-bride and groom-groom. Furthermore, pronouns and words such as “bride,” “groom,” and “partner” can be changed at no additional cost. You'll find places to specify all of your preferences for pronouns on the full order form that will be sent to you after purchase.
Non-Binary / Gender Neutral Ketubah Texts
Do one or both of you identify as non-binary? Here at Ink with Intent, it's incredibly important to us that your ketubah text affirms your identities in both English and Hebrew. That said, Hebrew is an innately gendered language. Every noun is ascribed a gender, whether that be a person, object or creature. Verb tenses and words such as "each other" also have gender signifiers. This creates a challenging situation for our clients who identify as non-binary and who typically use they/them pronouns when communicating in English.
We now have two different options to offer you.
- There is a new font available called Multi-gender Hebrew. It features new letter forms that are neither masculine nor feminine. We can offer any of our standard ketubah texts typeset in Multi-gender Hebrew. Please note that this font is very new, so it is possible your Rabbi or Officiant has not yet seen it. We'd be happy to answer any questions your Rabbi or Officiant may have.
- We have a text specifically written for our non-binary clients which uses a grammatical convention that is popular among the Hebrew-speaking LGBTQ+ community (linked below). It involves using a plural in both gender forms added to a word to create a gender-neutral variation. It's important to note here that this language pattern is not typically accepted as "proper" grammar. If you are having a Rabbi officiate your wedding, it would be a great idea to loop them into the discussion of how to accurately reflect your two identities in your ketubah text so that the Rabbi isn't confused by your grammatically non-conforming text.
Anniversary Text
Whether you already have a ketubah or not, many couples choose to mark an anniversary with a ketubah-like piece of artwork celebrating their union. This text has been written specifically for couples celebrating their shared years together. You can choose just Hebrew, just English or both. And just as with all of our other Hebrew texts, this one can be modified to work for LGBTQ+ couples with any range of pronouns.
Custom Translation
Have you written your own ketubah text that you would like to have translated into modern Hebrew? No problem! Just select the Custom Translation option at checkout and then email your custom text to us at orders@inkwithintent.com. One of our certified, professional translators from Israel will do a careful translation of your text. You will also have an opportunity to review the translation with your Rabbi before your ketubah is finalized.