Here’s a guide for choosing a text for your wedding. Besides Hebrew/Aramaic and English texts,
I’ve also done them in Spanish, French, Japanese and Yiddish. Ask me about translation
services. The price of a ketubah print includes one of my text combinations. You can decide to
leave the fill-ins (names, date of wedding, etc.) blank for your officiant to complete, or have me
personalize the texts. If you provide a different text there is an additional fee. If you are having
a hand-made ketubah, the cost includes your choice any texts.
TRADITIONAL ORTHODOX
The Traditional Orthodox ketubah text, written in Aramaic, is a legal formula stating the terms of
the marriage and giving the bride property rights. Because there can be slight variations in
spelling depending on your rabbi, it’s very important that the text be approved by your officiant.
Some Orthodox rabbis allow an English text, others don’t. Some allow use of the mother’s
Hebrew name, others not. There is a special section on the order form for these details. The
English texts are not translations of the Aramaic.
Orthodox Aramaic with Love & Integrity English
Orthodox Aramaic with Wisdom & Reverence English
CONSERVATIVE
The Conservative text, written in Aramaic, is similar to the Orthodox. There is some egalitarian
language and the inclusion of the Lieberman Clause stating that in the case of divorce, the
husband must grant his wife a get (Jewish divorce decree) so she can be remarried in a Jewish
ceremony. You can usually have any English text you want in combination with the Aramaic. The
English is not a translation of the Aramaic. Here are some combinations.
Conservative Aramaic with Equal Partners English
Conservative Aramaic with Love & Integrity English
Conservative Aramaic with Wisdom & Reverence English
Conservative Aramaic with Apache Wedding Blessing
EGALITARIAN/REFORM/RECONSTRUCTIONIST
For a Reform/Reconstructionist wedding ceremony, you may choose to have your vows in
Hebrew and English, or just English. The English of these texts is a direct translation of the
Hebrew.
Equal Partners Hebrew & English
Apache Wedding Blessing Hebrew & English
Love and Integrity Hebrew & English
Wisdom & Reverence Hebrew & English
INTERFAITH
The Interfaith text is written specifically for Interfaith couples, and it’s possible to modify other
texts, such as Equal Partners, to make them appropriate. For an Interfaith wedding, the text can
be both in English and Hebrew or just English.
Apache Wedding Blessing Hebrew & English
SAME SEX
I have several texts specifically written for same-sex marriages. Blessing for Two Women is
used by permission of Rabbi Leila Berner. Other texts can be modified as well. Please ask!
Blessing for Two Women Hebrew & English
ANNIVERSARY
Here are two versions of anniversary texts. Other texts can be modified as appropriate.
Anniversary 1 Hebrew & English
Anniversary 2 Hebrew & English
NON-DENOMINATIONAL/OTHER RELIGIONS
I can work with any text that you provide as well as modify existing texts.
