Marriage contract template (Gaster Hebrew MS Add 34)

A traditional Jewish marriage contract, or Ketubbah, is written on parchment. The layout features two columns of biblical blessings at the top in square Hebrew script. Below this, a wide block of legal text is written in a cursive Italian or Sephardic Hebrew hand. Large calligraphic letters act as headers for the legal section. Marginal notes and sections for signatures appear at the bottom.

May His name be blessed. In the name of the One who possesses greatness and is exalted above every blessing and praise. May this be with a good sign and a favorable mazal mazal: literally a constellation or "star," referring to good fortune or destiny. May it be an excellent hour and a praised time. May there be gladness, joy, happiness, and cheering. May there be rescue, salvation, and redemption. May every request be fulfilled for the groom, for the bride, and for the entire gathered congregation. May they rejoice and be glad. May they blossom and flourish. May they be fruitful and multiply. May they build and succeed.

And he obtains favor from the Lord. House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the inner chambers of your house. Your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, for thus shall the man who fears the Lord be blessed. May the Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see children born to your children. Peace be upon Israel.

In the coming of the year five thousand H original: "ח" (the letter Chet). This is a placeholder for the date.

since the creation of the world, according to the count we use here in the city of town?

to give the will of your understanding to you, the groom the will of the hand which is called

the pleasant one to say to the glory of the bride

associate, "Be my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I, with the help

of heaven, will work, honor, nourish, and support you. I will act according to the custom of Jewish men who work, honor, nourish, and support their wives in truth. I give to you the mohar mohar: the traditional marriage gift or dower paid by the groom of your virginity, two hundred silver zuz zuz: an ancient silver coin which is due to you. I will provide your food, clothing, and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to the universal custom. This bride has consented and become his wife according to the law of Moses and Israel. This is the dowry that she brought to him from her father's house to the house of her husband, consisting of ornaments of gold and silver, clothing, and bedding, totaling such and such an amount?. The groom has taken this upon himself as a debt. Furthermore, the groom has agreed to add a voluntary supplement to the principal of the marriage contract. The total sum of the principal, the dowry, and the supplement is amount?. The groom has acknowledged that he has received all these items. They have come into his hand and are now under his authority. He has taken these assets upon himself as iron sheep property original: "nikhsei tzon barzel." This refers to property brought by the bride that the husband guarantees. If the value goes down, he bears the loss; if it goes up, he keeps the profit, but he must always return the original value.. If the value decreases, the loss is his. If the value increases, the gain is his. The groom said to us: "The responsibility and weight of this marriage contract, dowry, and supplement shall rest upon me and my heirs after me. All my property, including land and movable goods, shall be security and a guarantee. This applies to everything I own under the heavens, whether currently possessed or to be acquired in the future. All of it shall be responsible and serve as a guarantee for the payment of this contract." The groom has taken upon himself the responsibility and weight of this marriage contract, its dowry, and supplement. It is as binding as all marriage contracts, dowries, and supplements customary among the modest and virtuous daughters of Israel. This is not to be regarded as a mere theoretical promise or a standard form. All types of legal cancellations or disqualifications of witnesses are hereby voided. Amen. The witnesses? signed below confirm that the acquisition from this bride for her groom was performed according to all that is written and explained above. It is a complete and total legal acquisition, effective from now, using a vessel fit for such a purpose. Everything is valid, clear, and established.