The Art of Matrimony

For over two millennia the ketubbah (marriage contract) has been an integral part of Jewish marriages. Ever since the second century, rabbinic authorities have attributed extreme importance to this marriage document which typically records the bridegroom’s obligations toward his bride in the event of divorce or death. Thirty ketubbot from the world-renowned collection of The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary, dating from the twelfth through the twenty-first centuries and reflecting the geographical diversity of Jewish settlement, are featured in this exhibition.

Found in the homes of married Jews, whether wealthy or poor, scholar or layman, in the West or in the East, ketubbot provide a wealth of information concerning the artistic creativity, cultural interactions and social history of the Jewish communities in which they were created. They offer a fascinating look at the lives of individual couples, varied marriage customs, and the spread of artistic styles through commerce and trade. By examining the names of the betrothed, dates, geographic locale, special conditions and monetary details contained within the text, the modern viewer can glean additional details about patronage, folklore and the social and financial status of Jewish families from around the world.