A ketubbah (“writ”) is a pre-nuptual contract that specifies many of a groom’s obligations to his bride in the event of divorce or the death of the husband. Rooted in ancient traditions, the ketubbah, the purpose of which is to protect a woman’s interests, was for much of its history a genuine contract, the specifics of which could be modified for individual relationships; eventually, though, the formula of the ketubbah was standardized.  

This unusual, printed ketubbah was printed for use in the DP camp established at Bergen-Belsen after the Second World War. The name of the camp appears at the top and the seal of the rabbinate of the camp at the bottom. The ketubbah indicates that this was the second marriage for both partners, as both lost their spouses in camps during the war. The words that are crossed out adjust the details of the ketubbah to reflect the status of the partners.