Marriage Contract. According to Karaite Custom. Uniting Moses, the son of Rabbi Samuel and Rachel, the daugter of Rabbi Abraham, on Tuesday 12th Kislev 5603.

(KETHUBAH)

Eupatoria

1842

Hebrew manuscript in Sephardic semi-cursive Hebrew script. Two sections of text within rectangular frames. An additional rectangular frames surrounds the two frames. Topped by an arch containing a large vase filled with colorful tempora roses and flowers. Additional large floral motifs fill the exterior frame. Textual border comprised of Biblical verses describing marriage inscribed in large square script, in red ink.

Similar to other Karaite documents, this Kethubah is composed in Hebrew rather than Aramaic and is comprised of two parts; “shetar nissu’in,” the marriage deed, and “shetar ketubbah,” the kethubah deed. The former consists of a declaration of the groom’s intent to marry the bride, the obligations of the marriage, the bride’s acceptance and their mutual commitment “to observe all the holidays and the new moon as stipulated at Mount Sinai.” The later, is concerned with the financial obligations of the groom and also includes a list of the bride’s dowry. As is common in Karaite marriage contracts, the name of the ruler of the land where the wedding took place is specified in the kethubah; Emperor Nicolai the First. His name appears in large red square script; an attempt to flatter and show the obedience of the Karaites to him. As is also common among Karaites, the deed is signed by as many witnesses as possible. Here, there are at least thirteen different names. For a similar example of a Karaite marriage contract see: S. Sabar, Mazal Tov: Illuminated Jewish Marriage Contracts from the Israel Museum Collection (Jerusalem 1993) pl. 53.