When at age 21, I designed this ketubahThe Jewish wedding contract. Traditionally, the ketubah protected the wife in marriage by spelling out the husband's obligations to her and guaranteeing her a financial settlement in case of divorce. Throughout the ages, ketubot (plural) have been illuminated and calligraphed, becoming significant as Jewish art. Today, all manner of egalitarian ketubot are written. Some dispense with the financial and legal aspects, focusing more on the emotional and spiritual sides of the relationship. Others maintain the rabbis' concern with the practical, but define mutual obligations for each spouse.,
the shapes were so important
concentric ovals for the seventh blessing
four corners with Jewish identity symbols
surrounded by a stylized square
The colors were so important
rainbow colors for the sheva brachotSeven blessings with which the bride and groom are blessed at their wedding. Also refers to the seven days of celebration following the wedding, during which the seven blessings are recited at every meal at which there is a minyan of ten Jews and there is at least one guest who was not present at the wedding.
royal blue for the traditional Aramaic text
pale yellow for the mat
The frame was so important
burnished bronze
with elaborate floral embellishments
in three expanding layers
All of this was so much more important to me
than what was served on the sweet table
or what the bridesmaids wore
or what song accompanied the first dance
When at age 70, I gaze at it, hanging on our bedroom wall
my eye focuses on the Voter Protection badge on a lanyard
that I hung from the frame
when I returned from my shift
of being a poll watcher in West Philly in 2022
Instead of color and shape and symbols or frame
I ponder what is holy
Yes preserving our pledge to each other before God
but holy is also preserving democracy
walking on the Pilgrimage for Peace
drying a grandchild’s tears
and listening to the repetition of my mother’s stories
night after night.
Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh
Image: The ketubah and voting badge described by the author
