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The Ketubah
"On __________ [day of the week], the
__________ day of the month __________ in the year __________ since creation of the world,
the era according to which we are accustomed to reckon here in the city of __________ how
__________ son of __________ said to this virgin __________ daughter of __________ 'Be
thou my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I will work for thee, honor,
support, and maintain thee in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who work for
their wives, honor, support, and maintain them in truth. And I will set aside for thee 200
zuz [traditional money], in lieu of thy virginity, which belong to thee (according
to the law of Moses), and thy food, clothing, and necessaries, and live with thee in
conjugal relations according to universal custom.' And __________ this virgin consented
and became his wife. The dowry that she brought from her father's house, in silver, gold,
valuables, dresses and bedclothes, amounts to __________ [100 silver pieces], and the
bridegroom consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of
__________ [100 silver pieces], making in all __________ [200 silver pieces]. And thus
said __________ the bridegroom, 'I take upon myself and my heirs after me the
responsibility of this marriage contract, of the dowry, and of the additional sum, so that
all this shall be paid from the best part of my property, real and personal, that I now
possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, even the mantle on my shoulders, shall
be mortgaged for the security of the contract and of the dowry and of the addition made
thereto.' __________ the bridegroom has taken upon himself the responsibility for all the
obligations of this ketubah, as is customary with other ketubot made for the
daughters of Israel in accordance with the institution of our sages -- may their memory be
for a blessing! It is not to be regarded as an illusory obligation or as a mere symbolical
delivery between __________ son of __________ the bridegroom, and __________ daughter of
__________ the virgin, and they have employed an instrument legally fit for the purpose to
strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and established."
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