Happy Shavuot

Historically, Shavuot was the day on which the Bikkurim (first fruits from the seven species for which Israel is praised) were brought to the Temple in Jerusalem by each individual. These species are: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (Deut. 8:8). In the largely agrarian society of ancient Israel, Jewish farmers would tie a ribbon around the first ripening fruits from each of these species in their fields. At the time of harvest, the fruits identified by the ribbon would be cut and placed into baskets woven of gold and silver. The baskets would then be placed on oxen whose horns were laced with garlands of flowers, and who were led in a grand procession to Jerusalem. As the farmer and his entourage passed through cities and towns, they would be accompanied by music and parades.

At the Temple, each farmer would present his Bikkurim to the Kohen Gadol in a ceremony that followed the text of Deut. 26:1-10. This text begins by stating, "An Aramean tried to destroy my father"—which either refers to Laban's efforts to weaken Jacob and rob him of his progeny (Rashi on Deut. 26:5) or to the fact that Jacob was a homeless or penniless wanderer in the land of Aram for 20 years (ibid., Abraham ibn Ezra). The text proceeds to retell the history of the Jewish people as they went into exile in Egypt and were enslaved and oppressed; following which God redeemed them and brought them to the land of Israel. The ceremony of Bikkurim conveys the Jew's gratitude to God both for the first fruits of the field and for His guidance throughout Jewish history (Scherman, p. 1068).

Look at the beautiful Seven Species Chuppah created for the Deiter wedding by Carol Racklin-Siegel and the wonderful Seven Species Ketubah from Betsy Teutsch .

Going Dutch

Rav-hadassah is a blog I just found which is dealing with a Jewish wedding that will be taking place later this year in Amsterdam. It is fun to read... it helps that it is in English and some of the photos are quite pretty. The author has been accepted to the University of Judaism's Ziegler School of Rabbinics, a Conservative seminary in Los Angeles, California. Let's plan on following this wedding.

Here is the information about the Temple where the religious ceremony will be held.
The synagogue holds special significance for me. Built in 1764, to serve the Jewish proletariat of this part of Amsterdam, the shul was left deserted and neglected after the Second World War. Thankfully, it was recently renovated. Although officially property of the Amsterdam municipality, one can rent the synagogue for services, chuppot but also secular activities (chamber concerts, receptions and even civil weddings!). However, the significance for me is entirely different, and closer to the original intent: the Progressive community Beit ha'Chidush has reclaimed the use of the building as a house of Jewish worship. This is also the community where I set my first steps on my Jewish journey and I fell in love with the quiet and light atmosphere of the space. I knew I wanted to get married here: this shul where I sent my first, tentative Jewish prayers Heavenward.

This Op Fields Ketubah is from Rachel Deitsch of California. Maybe Rachel and our bride can meet up some day!

More on the Ketubah

Beautiful pieces of artwork revitalize a four hundred year old Jewish marriage contract tradition, the (ketubah). The ketubah document originated as protection for women against abandonment of their husbands. This ketubah Jewish marriage contract protected women from being discarded by their husbands with no provision for their financial welfare. The modern version of the ketubah has its roots in the Babylonian exile when the elders felt it was necessary to guarantee women legal rights of property and provision in the event that the husband was no longer present for reasons including divorce, desertion or death. The elders had foresight when they enumerated in the groom’s obligations to the bride since the financial consequences of divorce resulted in Jewish families remaining intact. With slight revisions that have occurred throughout the centuries, this ketubah marriage contract remains in use today and is referred to as the Traditional Aramaic. The Orthodox community uses this text exclusively and many other rabbis and couples choose it, as well, as this Aramaic text has stood the test of time. It is also the only Jewish marriage contract text that is recognized as legal in the state of Israel. In modern times the divorce rate has unfortunately risen so high, that the Conservative movement felt compelled to add another paragraph, referred to as the Lieberman Clause, to the Traditional Aramaic text. This states that, in the event of a divorce, the couple agrees to go before the Rabbinic Assembly and abide by their decision regarding the Jewish divorce. If either partner does not comply, they can be taken to a civil court for enforcement of the decree. In essence, the intention was to give the wife a civil remedy if the husband refused to give her a ‘get’ which is a Jewish divorce, an action that would prevent her from entering into another Jewish marriage in the future. The Reform, Reconstructionist, Humanist and unaffiliated members of the Jewish community often prefer to choose the wording for their marriage vows that they relate to personally. Many beautiful and poetic texts have been written to express what the couple’s hopes and expectations are as partners in marriage. Interfaith and Anniversary ketubot are also readily available as well as alternative texts for same gender unions. The history of illuminated ketubot from the many cities and cultures that Jews have abided in spans centuries, though this art form waned when the Jews were persecuted so viciously in Europe, there has been an amazing revival over the last decades. Now, many Judaic artists are inspired to create artwork to enhance the ketubah text. designs range from very traditional to abstract paintings with the ketubot text superimposed over the art.
Laya Crust is a Canadian Artist who was educated in North America as well as Israel. Upon perusing her portfolio I am amazed at the vast styles she displays. One would have to be pretty darn picky not to find something of Laya's to love!

And I will write this upon my heart...

A ketubah is a piece of art... like my husband and my ketubah it may be completely original, or it may be a print which the couple will personalize. All are art. All are beautiful.

I found a cute blog post from a bride who forgot that her Ketubah required a white pen in order for the signatures to be seen.

We were able to use regular pen... but I can guarantee that my husband spent a lot of time practicing his Hebrew script to ensure that it was written correctly. (And what is sweet is two of our witnesses ended up getting married about 2 years after our wedding).


Tamar Messer is a well-known and loved Israeli artist. The distinct, vivid colorful style of her work draws upon a spirit of vitality that speaks directly to the hearts of the young and young at heart

The Ketubah for A Committed Couple

I think once I passed puberty (it was the '70s so we were slow then), I realized that I had no issues with gay men and lesbians. Back then, my acceptance was an abstract concept since so few of my friends were out. That changed in college and of course after that.
Now I have a friend who is in a very serious relationship. Neither of them are young. I want them to get "married" or have a "commitment ceremony" (choose your language). Besides wanting to see them happy- I really want to buy them their ketubah. Here and here is some information on Jewish marriages for gay couples.

Daniel Sroka is an award-winning graphic designer and fine art photographer. His distinctive photography has appeared in a number of shows, and can be seen on his website Daniel Sroka Photography. You can find his observations on art and photography at blog.danielsroka.com. Daniel became a Ketubah designer after he and his bride were unable to find the perfect design. After photographing some roses in his own garden, Daniel and Cara found their ketubah... now you can too.

Jewcy Ketubah

It is a busy, busy time for me. We are moving at the end of the month... lots to do. It's the last month of school. And then there is JCC baseball. And mother's day. Any way, I am going to stop blathering and link you to someone else's blog and you can read about ketubot there.
I am also going to post some pretty ketubot from the artist Stephanie Adler. Her Klimt-esque Ketubot are just great and she now has an ebay store.
Klimt, Ketubah and ebay... could be dangerous!

Jewish prenup

The ketubah is among history's first prenuptial agreements, protecting both parties and their families as they enter into this agreement. The Aramaic portions which appear in Orthodox wedding contracts contain legal information, including the grooms financial responsibilities to his wife.
On the ____ day of the week, the ____ day of the month ____ in the year ____ since the creation of the world, in the city of ____, ____ son of _____ said to this maiden ____ daughter of ____, "Be my wife according to the laws of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And I here present you with the settlement of two hundred silver zuzim, which belongs to you, according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I will also give you your food, clothing and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to the universal custom." And the maiden _____ consented and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her father's house, in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this _______, said bridegroom, accepted in the sum of one hundred silver zuzim, and _____, the bridegroom, agreed to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of one hundred silver zuzim, making in all two hundred silver zuzim.
And thus said ____, the bridegroom: "The responsibility of this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part of my property and possessions that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which I now possess or that which I may hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage contract, of this trousseau and the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death, from the present day and forever." _____, the bridegroom, has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the trousseau and of the addition made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the adjoins to them made for the daughters of Israel, according to the institutions of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document.

At the urging of friends,Micah Parker began to create ketubot and other Judaic art. We are so luck that this Sarasota, Florida resident shares his art with us... and many married couples.

A Couple's Ketubah

Choosing your ketubah is a big deal. My husband and I were blessed by my dearest friend Naomi whose aunt is a Ketubah artist. Ours is completely an original piece of art- right down to the typographical errors. We met in part because I wanted to meet "a Jewish man who read books." A book was central to our ketubah. Along the borders of the two pages were pictures of things that were personal to us- our dog Synapse, medical and psychiatric symbols, country music, even a NY apple and a GA peach! The Ketubah hangs proudly in our home. I hope you will enjoy looking at Ketubot over the next several days.
Samara Enchin has been creating artwork since she could hold a crayon. Her passion for painting and creating other works of art led Samara to pursue a B.F.A. at York University in Toronto. After graduation, Samara moved to New York City where she worked in two museums. While she enjoyed making the art world more accessible to others, she missed engaging in her own artistic endeavours. The creation of a Ketubah for her brother in 1998 led Samara back to a serious pursuit of painting. In 2001 Samara moved to Boulder, Colorado, where the beauty of her surroundings inspired a number of artistic creations. It was here that she realized a career as an artist was not out of her reach. Samara currently resides in Toronto with her husband Jacob. She is painting and happy.

Marriage Mezuzah

It may be gloomy February, but there are many a betrothed couple who are planning their nuptials. That invitation can't be too far away. Perhaps it is time to start gift shopping???
How about a mezuzah for the broken glass? According to the Guide to the Jewish Wedding from Aish.com
A glass is now placed on the floor, and the chatan shatters it with his foot. This act serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people. A Jew, even at the moment of greatest rejoicing, is always mindful of the Psalmist's injunction to set Jerusalem above my highest joy.

Others explain that this is the last time the groom gets to put his foot down.

(In Israel, the glass is broken earlier, prior to the reading of the Ketubah.)

This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of Mazel Tov, the chatan (groom) and kallah (bride) are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chupah together and head toward the Yichud room, their temporary private chamber

I have to confess that my broken glass is sitting at home in a box with other wedding parephinalia. One of these days I will do something like this:





From left to right are mezuzot from Sara Beames, Faye Miller Shardz and Arthur and Wendy Silver.

What a beautiful way to remember such a special day!

A poetic moment

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree

The almond tree is blooming
and a golden sun shines.
Birds, from the top of every roof
bring tidings of the coming of the festival.
Tu BiShvat has arrived, the Festival of the Trees.
(Israel Dushman)








The child who breathes the pure air among the pines, and plays among the birds and flowers, has the greatest of advantages.
(Enos Mills)


They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not take up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Each will sit under their grapevine and under their fig tree and none shall make them afraid.
(Micah 4:3-4)























Judith Joseph is Chicago-area painter, calligrapher and educator. She has created hundreds of works for individuals and public institutions, and her specialty is the Ketubah.
She spends a lot of time in the woods with her husband, Ted, and their three sons, Cameron, Ethan and Emmett. She is an animal lover whose family life is greatly enhanced by the presence of Willow, a beloved and spoiled golden retriever.

So, everyone grab your shovel and go plant a tree. If the ground is frozen, grab your wallet and have one (or more) planted in Israel! Remember, Tu B'shevat is February 3.