Handwritten Ketubah
Object numberM2021/015
TitleHandwritten Ketubah
DescriptionHandwritten Sephardic ketubah (marriage contract) in Aramaic. This double sided document details the wedding of David ben Yehuda and an unidentified bride, dated the 11th day of Tevet 5709 (12 January 1949). The contract has been signed by two witnesses. Their names have been translated as possibly Chaim Linenu (right side) and Sok Machir (left side). This ketubah has no known provenance.
Ketubot are written in Aramaic with many following a similar structure for over 2500 years. As a legal document, the objective of the Ketubah is to settle the economic relationship between the bride and groom. It outlines the husband's obligations to his wife, the terms to ensure the rights of the woman during marriage and if the marriage is nullified. Key information such as the names of the bridegroom, bride and their fathers are present as well as date and marriage location are included. Although a seemingly fixed text, Sephardic ketubot can vary in content as different countries and communities developed local customs influencing the text and external factors such as geopolitical allegiances could be displayed. This has led to a range of different Ketubah examples, from simple handwritten contracts to highly decorative manuscripts.
Ketubot are written in Aramaic with many following a similar structure for over 2500 years. As a legal document, the objective of the Ketubah is to settle the economic relationship between the bride and groom. It outlines the husband's obligations to his wife, the terms to ensure the rights of the woman during marriage and if the marriage is nullified. Key information such as the names of the bridegroom, bride and their fathers are present as well as date and marriage location are included. Although a seemingly fixed text, Sephardic ketubot can vary in content as different countries and communities developed local customs influencing the text and external factors such as geopolitical allegiances could be displayed. This has led to a range of different Ketubah examples, from simple handwritten contracts to highly decorative manuscripts.
Production placeunknown
Production date 1949-12-01
SubjectSephardic Jewry, marriage customs, marriage
Object nameketubah
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 281.00 mm
height: 220.00 mm
Language
- Aramaic
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Judy Wilkenfeld
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.