A Ketubah is a marriage contract that explains the financial, conjugal, and moral responsbilities of a husband to his wife. It was traditionally signed by the groom and two witnesses, and given to the bride during the wedding ceremony.

The original purpose of the ketubah was to protect the wife's rights during the marriage and protect her from financial hardship in the event she is widowed or divorced. The ketubah was also intended to make divorce less desirable to the husband by requiring him to owe a financial obligation after a divorce (only the husband has this obligation because only a man had the right to effect a divorce). It is believed that the ketubah was the first legal document in history to guarantee the rights of women.

Today, many Reform Jews, including April and Alex, write their own vows and have them printed in English and Hebrew on the ketubah document. The commitments made in the language of the ketubah comprise vows that husband and wife make to each other. The bride and groom both sign the document, along with at least two witnesses and the rabbi. The ketubah is considered joint property.

It is interesting to note that, technically speaking, the signing of the ketubah is the solemnizing portion of the Jewish wedding. Parts of the ketubah are paraphrased or read out loud during the wedding ceremony under the chuppah - but the couple is already married!

Ketubah Fun Facts:

• If the ketubah is lost, a new one must be written.

• At a religious divorce ceremony, the rabbi tears the ketubah in half in the presence of the married couple.

• The traditional ketubah, used today by the Orthodox, and some Conservative and Reform, Jews was written in Aramaic by Simeon ben Shetach in 80 B.C.E. Aramaic was the spoken language used by Jews during that time period. Hebrew was the language of prayer, used primarily by Temple priests and scholars. Today, most Reform Jews, including April and Alex, have their vows printed in English and Hebrew.

• The ketubah is hung it in the home as a keepsake. It has become traditional since the fourteenth century to decorate the ketubah as artwork. Ketubah artwork is considered a matter of personal preference, and has always varied with the fashion of the times and the country or culture in which the Jews lived. Wait 'til you see ours!