Ketubot — Rabbi Steph Breitsman

Custom Ketubah Commissions

Rabbi Steph creates custom ketubot with couples that sanctify, affirm, and ritualize their partnerships. As a rabbi, soferet, and artist, Rabbi Steph can be comissioned for the whole package or for individual pieces (calligraphy, art, wedding officiation).

A minimum of 3 months is recommended for custom ketubah commissions. Expedited projects may be considered depending on the project and availability.

Pricing

The cost of each ketubah depends on the text, art, and layout design and will be determined after the initial consultation.

The cost of custom art and calligraphy begins at $2000.00. The cost for calligraphy alone ranges between $800.00 -1200.00, depending on text and layout.

A 30% deposit of the total estimated cost is required after the initial consultation and before work begins.

More about ketubot

Historically, a ketubah was a binding legal document, in accordance with Jewish law that detailed a husband’s obligation to his wife and made provisions for her protection in the event of divorce or his death. It was not a contract between the spouses. It was a document signed by witnesses verifying that the requisite conditions for marriage were met. It’s the religious equivalent of a prenuptial agreement in secular civil law.

The ketubah has evolved into a document and a process that sanctifies, affirms, and shapes modern partnerships. Modern ketubot can:
- Embrace all genders
- Allow for egalitarian divorce (i.e. the ability of either party to dissolve the agreement)
- Detail the commitments of both partners
- Function as a covenant for intimate relationships
- Traditional Orthodox Version
  - This version is in full accordance with Jewish law
  - See a version of the English and Aramaic here
- Conservative Version = Traditional Orthodox + Lieberman Clause
  - The Lieberman Clause is an amendment that allows either partner to dissolve the agreement
  - See a version of the full text here
- Brit Ahuvim, created by Rabbi Rachel Adler
  - The Brit Ahuvim is a different legal and ritual construct. Traditionally, a ketubah signified that a groom had acquired a bride by meeting certain conditions (compensation and future provisions). The Brit Ahuvim is an agreement of partnership that comes out of the legal traditions of business partnership rather than acquisition.
  - See the text on Ritualwell
  - The “Provisions of the Covenant” section is often personalized.
  - Find more about the Jewish legal framework for the Brit Ahuvim here
- Other
  - There are endless versions of the text that adapt or depart from the language of the Orthodox/Conservative versions. They typically include more descriptive language about the nature of the marriage the partners are entering. Generally, they fall outside the purview of Jewish law.
  - Ketubah.com has great examples that can inspire you. Keep in mind that they are copyrighted and can only be used when purchasing a ketubah from this site. Their DIY option allows you to print the text and commission an artist to make you a custom piece around it, but it cannot be handwritten.
  - Rabbi Steph can guide you in drafting your own text.
Ketubot are often written in a mixture of Hebrew, Aramaic, and English.
Rabbi Steph can do minor editing of Hebrew and Aramaic. If you want to write your own text and have it translated, a professional translator should be hired for an additional fee.

Gallery

This gallery includes art for ketubot and other projects to provide a sense of Rabbi Steph’s artistic style.

Rabbi Steph is available for custom art commissions. Contact her to discuss the specifics of your request.