Ketubbot: Marriage Contracts from The Jewish Museum - Tapa dura

Marriage is one of the most important mitzvot, or commandments in Judaism, and Scriptures are replete with verses encouraging the union of man and woman. One of the essential elements of a Jewish wedding ceremony is the writing and transfer of a marriage contract, or ketubbah (plural ketubbot ). The ketubbah establishes the financial obligations of the groom toward his bride in cases of divorce or death. This book presents 40 decorated ketubbot dating from 1614 to 1989 from The Jewish Museum in N.Y. City. Originating in Italy, Persia (Iran), the Ottoman Empire, the Sephardi community of Hamburg, and the U.S., these intricately illuminated marriage contracts are unique historical documents as well as beautiful works of art.