Ketubah texts
Reform Ketubah Text
A modern, egalitarian document of mutual promises, usually in Hebrew and English.
Who this is for
Reform couples, and many others, who want a beautiful, meaningful document in which both partners make equal promises. Reform ketubot are not legal contracts in the halachic sense; they are covenants of love and intention.
The structure of the text
A Reform ketubah is typically bilingual and fully mutual. It names both partners as equals, sets out shared promises to love, honor and support one another and to build a Jewish home, and is often personalized with the couple's own words. There is no fixed legal formula, which gives couples real freedom.
A sample in English
On the ____ day of ____, in ____, we, ____ and ____, entered into this covenant as equal partners.
We promise to love and respect one another; to be honest and caring companions; to make our home a place of warmth, learning and peace; and to support each other's growth through all the seasons of our lives.
We make these promises with joy, before our family and our community, as we build a Jewish home together.
Sample texts are for education. Always confirm the final text with your officiating rabbi.
Key phrases
- Brit (covenant)A sacred agreement; Reform texts frame marriage as a mutual covenant.
- EgalitarianBoth partners make identical promises as equals.
- B'rit KiddushinThe 'covenant of holiness', a common heading for the Reform text.
What varies by community
Reform texts are highly customizable. Some couples keep close to a traditional structure in translation; others write nearly the whole text themselves. Bilingual layouts, gender-neutral wording and personal vows are all common.