Marriage Contract.

KETHUBAH

Calcutta

1779

Manuscript on vellum. Most of the text in Eastern semi-cursive script. The verses of blessing at the top written in large square script in form of a rainbow or semi-circle. Final five lines in a slightly smaller cursive script. Borders and top decorated in geometric triangular and semi-circle patterns in tones of red

THE OLDEST KETHUBAH EXTANT FROM CALCUTTA. The second oldest in India as a whole (oldest 1773, presently in Beth Zedek Museum, Toronto) This Kethubah is of the greatest historical importance to the history of the Jewish community in Calcutta. The recorded history of Indian Jewry to Calcutta notes Jews did not begin to settle there until 1798. This Kethubah demonstrably shows not only were Jews living there two decades earlier but it was an organized community with a Rabbi and Dayan - for one of the signatories, Ezekiel Ezra ben Sason Eliahu, identifies himself as "Rav V'Motz" (Moreh Tzodek) of the praiseworthy city of Calcutta.” Also of note are differences to the text and the decorated verses of blessing compared to standard Indian Kethubas See A. Ben Yaakov, Babylonian Jews in Calcutta [Hebrew] (1985) pp.128-227 Prof. Shalom Sabar, Department of Art History, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, has examined this Kethubah and his comprehensive description in Hebrew is appended to the lot for further reference