A (Brief) History of the Ketubah

The Ketubah we use today was written by Simeon ben Shetach in 80 B.C.E. in Aramaic, the language of the period. At least since the fourteenth century, it has been traditional to decorate the Ketubah as a piece of important artwork and to display it prominently in the home as a daily reminder of marriage vows and responsibilities. Ketubot have been made in a wide range of designs, usually following the tastes and styles of the era and region in which they are made. Many couples follow the tradition of hiddur mitzvah which calls for ceremonial objects such as the ketubah to be made as beautiful as possible.

In some communities, the ketubah is either not displayed or displayed in a private section of the home. Various reasons given for this include the fact that the details specify personal details, prominent display may invite jealousy or fears of the evil eye.

Whether featured prominently on display or kept as a private reminder of their vows, it is forbidden for a couple to live together without a Ketubah. If the Ketubah is lost, a new one must be written.