|Traditional Aramaic (Orthodox) Text: The Traditional Aramaic
ketubah text is the only text accepted by the Traditional
Orthodox Ashkenazic Jewish community. The text was conceived
approximately 2,000 years ago, with the primary purpose of
protecting the finances of a Jewish wife. This marriage contract
is written in Aramaic, and was originally drafted by Jewish
sages -- most likely in response to social practices which are
considered unjust according to Jewish thought. At the time, it
was a groundbreaking document. The situation in ancient times
was such that if something happened to a marriage, specifically
divorce or death of the husband, the husband's family could
simply absorb the entire estate -- leaving the wife, and
possibly children, with nothing. This kind of practice continues
even to this day in some parts of the world. The original
purpose of the ketubah was to protect the wife and children in
the event of the husband's departure. This is an excellent
example of justice ("tzedek"), as interpreted