As Judaism evolved in the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries, and movements of modern Jews dispensed with halakha (Jewish law), the ketubah was one tradition that carried on, though in greatly modified form. Orthodox Jews still use the traditional Aramaic prenuptial agreement wording, which was largely codified in the Middle Ages, but modern variations have been developed by modern streams of Judaism, as well as adapted for use by interfaith, same sex, and even non-Jewish couples. The Reform movement in Judaism eliminated many Jewish traditions, and some Reform rabbis dispensed with the ketubah altogether. But the idea of a wedding document that's also a beautiful work of art holds enormous appeal, and after some decades of falling out of favor the ketubah has made an enormous comeback, starting slowly in the 70s, and veritably exploding in the 2000s! In fact, the ketubah is now so popular that it enjoys almost universal use by Jews of all stripes -- from the most traditional Jews, to Reform, secular Humanist, and unaffiliated Jews -- along with couples historically shut out from Jewish traditions. It's now an easy matter for any couple to find an interfaith ketubah, a same sex ketubah, or even a gentile ketubah! Whether traditional or modern, the ketubah remains one of the most beloved elements of a Jewish wedding ceremony. copyright Melissa Dinwiddie 2010 | welcome to loan (http://www.yloan.com/) | Powered by Discuz! 5.5.0 |