Articles

The Chuppah. It’s an enchanting space where the magic of the final formalities of the Jewish wedding are completed. Replete with meaning, it is thought that one of the functions of the Chuppah is to symbolize the Almighty’s presence descending upon the couple at the dawn of their marriage. This resembles the cloud that enveloped the Jews in their journey through the desert after escaping Egypt. Whatever it’s original sources are, the Chuppah has certainly become a known concept in the Western world, and given all of the breathtaking Chuppah ideas there are out there, we’re not surprised! Chuppah Ideas...

Choosing your Ketubah is a great time to reflect as a couple on the tone of Jewish life that you would like to set in your household. The Ketubah wording particularly reflects your ideals, and most Ketubah artist today provide a variety of texts appropriate for various levels of Jewish observance. As always, it’s important to check in with your Jewish wedding officiant before making any final decisions on your Ketubah wording. The Classic Ketubah Many couples today appreciate the classical Ketubah wording according to the Orthodox standards. This text was meted out by the Sages, and has remained virtually...

Ketubahs have been part of Jewish life since time immemorial. Back when the status of women in the rest of the world was negligible at best, the Jewish Ketubah made the statement that women have basic rights that men are obligated to fulfill. The contemporary Ketubah carries on that legend. What’s more, couples are finding a new world of possibilities for how they can create a vessel for their marriage through what is first and foremost a legal document. Choosing the Right Text for You Far from an austere part of the Jewish wedding, the contemporary Ketubah is something that...

The Jewish wedding is an ancient ceremony that dates back thousands of years.  It incorporates many distinct elements- biblical, historical, mystical, cultural and legal – which unify a couple in the bonds of marriage.  At its core the Jewish wedding ceremony includes a marriage contract known as a ketubah.  The ketubah is written in Aramaic and is singed by two witnesses.  The ketubah is a legally binding contract which enumerates the husband’s obligations to his wife during the marriage and also after it (in situations of divorce or the husband’s death).   The wedding ceremony itself takes place under the open sky as the couple stand under a...

Jewish paper cutting is an ancient form of decoration that uses delicately cut Jewish symbols, ornaments and Hebrew letters. The paper cut layer is often glued on a contrasting piece of paper in order to highlight the work and throw a shadow on it.  More contemporary works, especially paper cut ketubahs, leave the cut-out section bare. In centuries past, this form of Jewish art was very popular, and traces of it have been found in Jewish communities throughout the world- from Eastern Europe to Iraq.  The first mention of Jewish paper cutting is attributed to Rabbi Shem Tov ben Isaac...