The people behind Ketubah.com know pretty much everything there is to know about ketubahs. Yet, there has always been mystery and questions regarding Sephardic Ketubah Texts. Ketubah.com tries to make ketubah purchasing as smooth as possible, and it should be no different for brides and grooms from Sephardi backgrounds. So what are the differences between Sephardi Ketubah texts and Ashkenaz? What do you need to know?
We spoke with Ketubah.com‘s Head of Printing and Production, Nava Hoffman, to learn the top 5 Things you Need to Know:
1.
The bride and groom’s names can go back as many generations as the family would like – but they typically go at least 2 generations back (parents and grandparents) – listing men only.
2.
The names are all listed with appropriate roshei teivot (Hebrew acronyms) before them to give each individual appropriate kavods, respectful titles, given to the fathers, grandfathers etc,.
3.
The amount of the bride’s value that are listed on the Sephardi ketubah are different for every marriage – and the amount is worked out between the couple and the Rabbi. It can also be listed in any currency. (In Ashkenaz ketubahs the bride’s value is standard and the same for all brides and there is only one traditional currency.)
4.
At Sephardi weddings the ketubah is traditionally sung at the chuppah, not read. Except…
5.
The last part of the ketubah is traditionally not sung or ever read under the chuppah since this part talks about the groom not marrying a second wife, etc.. This is to avoid ayin hara (bad omen) for the couple, since that part speaks about the husband taking a second wife.
TIP:
All of Ketubah.com‘s Signature Collection Ketubahs that have one singular space for languages (ketubahs like Four Seasons and not ketubahs such as Infinity of Love) are available with Sephardic Text in the Choose Text drop down.
