Ketubot

Ketubot is a term that may refer to two related Jewish concepts: the ketubah, a marriage contract, and the tractate Ketubot in the Talmud. The ketubah is a Jewish legal document that outlines the husband’s financial obligations to his wife. Traditionally it specifies a fixed monetary sum to be paid to the wife in the event of the husband’s death or divorce, as well as provisions for her maintenance during the marriage and other rights. The text is typically written in Hebrew and/or Aramaic, signed by two witnesses, and read aloud at the wedding ceremony. In many communities the ketubah is elaborately decorated and displayed in the couple’s home.

The tractate Ketubot is a section of the Babylonian Talmud (in the order Nashim) that discusses marriage, divorce, dowries, and related financial arrangements. It covers the content and enforcement of the ketubah, the rights and obligations of husbands and wives, and the procedures surrounding marital agreements and disputes. The tractate reflects classical Rabbinic debates about marital law and the protection of a wife’s financial interests.

Tradition and practice vary by community. Ashkenazi and Sephardi ketubot differ in text, language, and customary provisions. Orthodox ketubot typically preserve traditional formulas, while Conservative, Reform, and other movements often use revised or egalitarian versions that reflect contemporary notions of partnership. Regardless of style, the ketubah remains distinct from the divorce document (get) in Jewish law, serving as the formal financial contract associated with the marriage ceremony.