אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם רָאֲתָה שְׁכִינָה עֵינֵֽימוֹ | Ashrei ha-Am Ra’ata Shekhinah Eineimo — a ketubah-piyyuṭ for Shavuot by Saadiyah ben Yosef ha-Levi (ca. 16th c.)

Contributor(s):

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut), Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation) and Saadiyah ben Yosef ha-Levi

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21 May 2026 under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license

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16th century C.E., 54th century A.M., Har Sinai, כתובה ketubah, פיוטים piyyuṭim, הוצאת ספר תורה Removal of the Torah from the Ark, theophany, wedding

While the most famous ketubah-poem for Shavuot, still recited in Sephardic communities the world over, is the piyyuṭ by R. Yisrael Najara, many others have been written over the years. This one was written in the 16th century by Saadiyah ben Yosef ha-Levi. It is a marriage contract between the groom (Israel) and the bride (Torah).

Note: “The CAUSE” is used to translate the Divine Name YHVH, based on the philosophical idea of God as the Prime Mover and on the interpretation of the Name as a causative form of the copula – “causes to be.” This translation also uses the plural pronouns They/Their/Them to refer to God as a pluralis majestatis, and to avoid the implications of God being assigned a gender. (Find Ibn Ezra’s commentary on Genesis 1:1 for a discussion of the pluralis majestatis when referring to God.) All divine referents (pronouns, epithets, names) are rendered in unicase.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם רָאֲתָה שְׁכִינָה עֵינֵֽימוֹ מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ מִימִינ֕וֹ אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת לָֽמוֹ׃	Content is the people whose eyes saw the Presence! From Sinai They came, and shone to them from Seir; from Their right hand, fire-law to them.^[1] Deuteronomy 33:2
בַּשִּׁשִׁי בְשַׁבָּת נִגְלֹה נִגְלָה הָאֵל בְּחִבַּת לָתֵת לְעַם זוּ דָּת נֶֽפֶשׁ מְשִׁיבַת׃	On the sixth of the week, revealed, revealed was the Deity cherished, to give that people the soul-reviving law.^[2] After this introductory verse, the first section begins, describing the date (Shavuot) and place (Sinai) of the marriage between Israel and the Torah.
שִׁשָּׁה יָמִים לְחֹֽדֶשׁ סִיוָן יָרְדָה שְׁכִינָה תִּפְאֶֽרֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְזִיוָן כִּֽי־יַעֲקֹ֗ב בָּחַ֣ר ל֣וֹ יָ֑הּ וְאִוָּן׃	Six days into the month of Sivan, the Presence, Israel’s splendor and glow, descended, for Yah chose Jacob for Them^[3] Psalms 135:4 and was pleased.
שְׁנַת אַלְפַּיִם וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת וְאַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמוֹנָה לִבְרִיאַת עוֹלָם פָּקַד הָאֵל עַמּוֹ וּגְאָלָם וְחֶ֤סֶד יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ מֵעוֹלָ֣ם׃	In the year 2448 of the creation of the world, the Deity recalled Their people and redeemed them; the Cause’s mercy is from eternity!^[4] Psalms 103:17
לְמִנְיָן שֶׁאָֽנוּ מוֹנִין בְּהַר סִינַי אַלּוּפַי אֲצִילַי וּזְקֵנַי שֶׁאָמְרוּ נַעֲשֶׂה כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה׃ (שמות יט:ד)	Per the count by which we count, at Mt. Sinai, my chiliarchs, nobles, and elders, who said “We will do all that the Cause has spoken!” (Exodus 19:4)
דְּעַל נְהַר הַחׇכְמָה יָשַׁב וּמִמֵּימֵי הַשֵּֽׂכֶל וְהַמַּדָּע קָשַׁב לוֹ אִ֝וָּ֗הּ לְמוֹשָׁ֥ב׃	On the river of Wisdom set, and from the waters of Wit and Knowledge marked, in him They were pleased to dwell.^[5] Find Psalms 132:13.
אֵיךְ הֶחָתָן הַנָּעִים אַבִּיר הָרוֹעִים הֲבֵן֩ יַקִּ֨יר לִ֜י אֶפְרַ֗יִם אִ֚ם יֶ֣לֶד שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים׃	This pleasant groom,^[6] The next section begins here, the description of the groom (Israel). noble shepherd — isn’t Ephraim My treasure, My dandled son?^[7] Jeremiah 31:9
בָּרוּךְ מִבָּנִים וּמִכׇּל־הָעַמִּים זֶֽרַע אָבוֹת הַקְּדוּמִים יִרְאֶ֥ה זֶ֖רַע יַאֲרִ֣יךְ יָמִ֑ים׃	Most blessed of children and of all peoples, the seed of the forefathers; he who sees his seed will lengthen days.^[8] Isaiah 53:10
הַגְּבִיר וּמְעְלָּה אֲשֶׁר בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִ֑יר לֹא יְסֻלֶּה עוֹשֶׂה אֵֽלֶּה׃	The strapping young man, who could not be weighed against gold of Ophir,^[9] Find Job 28:17 does this:
הַמִּצְוֺת וְהַחֻקִּים לוֹ לְמָנָה וְנוֹתֵן לָהֶם שְׁאֵר כְּסוּת וְעוֹנָה ר֧וּחַ חׇכְמָ֣ה וּבִינָ֗ה׃	The commandments and the laws are his as a portion, and he gives them food, chothing, and marital rights: the spirit of wisdom and understanding.^[10] Isaiah 11:2
הֶחָכָם הַשָּׁלֵם בְּכׇל־הַשְּׁלֵמוּיוֹת מִגְדַּל־עֹ֭ז בָּנ֖וּי לְתַלְפִּיּ֑וֹת וּמַגִּיד אוֹתִיּוֹת׃	The fully wise one in all fullnesses, the mighty tower^[11] Proverbs 18:10 built splendiferously,^[12] Song of Songs 4:4 and telling letters,
כְּמֹהָ״ר יִשְׂרָאֵל נֵר״וֹ בַּיּוֹם יָאִיר אוֹרוֹ וּ֭בַלַּיְלָה שִׁירֹ֣ה׃	KeMoHa”R^[13] An abbreviation for כְּבוֹד מוֹרֵֽנוּ הָרַב רַבִּי Our honored teacher the rav Rabbi Israel NeR”O^[14] An abbreviation for נַטְרֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא וּפַרְקֵיהּ May the Merciful One guard and save him on the day his light shone, and in nighttime his song,^[15] Psalms 42:9
בְּנָן שֶׁל קְדוֹשִׁים רָאשֵׁי הַשְּׁלִישִׁים וְזֹֽהַר תַּרְשִׁישִׁים שִׁבְטֵי יָהּ הַחֲמוּשִׁים׃	in the garden of the holy, the leaders of units and the glow of gemstones, the equipped tribes of Yah,
נֶֽכֶד אֲבוֹת הָעוֹלָם וַאֲצִילֶֽיהָ עַמּוּדֶֽיהָ וְאֹהָלֶֽיהָ חַיָּֽלֶיהָ וְאַיָּֽלֶיהָ׃	great-grandchild of the fathers of old and her great ones and pillars and tents, armies and generals,
אָמַר לַכַּלָּה הַיְקָרָה וְהַנְּעִימָה אַלְפַּֽיִם שָׁנָה קְדוּמָה תּ֘וֹרַ֤ת יְהֹוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה׃	said to the honored pleasant bride,^[16] The next section begins here, the description of the bride (the Torah), and her parent (God). two thousand years older,^[17] Than the universe, according to Bereshit Rabbah 8:2 the pure Torah of the Cause,^[18] Psalms 19:8
הַכְּלוּלָה הַבַּת הַבְּתוּלָה אֲשֶׁר עַל־מֵי הַמַּדָּע שְׁתוּלָה וּמִמֵּימֵי הַחׇכְמָה דוֹלָה׃	the complete virgin daughter, who is planted on the water of Knowledge, and flows from the waters of Wisdom,
שׁוֹשַׁנַּ֖ת הָעֲמָקִֽים זֹֽהַר פָּנֶֽיהָ כַבְּרָקִים בָּהִיר הוּא בַשְּׁחָקִים׃	the lily of the valleys,^[19] Song of Songs 2:1 whose face shines like lightning, clear is she in the heavens,
אַיֶּ֥לֶת אֲהָבִ֗ים וְֽיַ֫עֲלַת־חֵ֥ן בְּעֵינֵי כְלָיוֹת בּוֹחֵן שֶׁ֣קֶר הַ֭חֵן׃	a loving doe, a graceful deer,^[20] Proverbs 5:19 chosen in the eyes of brides — grace is a lie!^[21] Proverbs 31:30
הַמְּכֻתֶּֽרֶת בְּכֶֽתֶר הַיֹּֽפִי הַשְּׁלֵמָה מִכׇּל־מוּם וְדֹֽפִי הֶ֣בֶל הַיֹּ֑פִי׃	Crowned in the crown of beauty, complete, without flaw or defect — beauty is wasted air!^[22] Proverbs 31:30
כַּלָּה נָאָה וַחֲסוּדָה בְּכׇל־מִדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת מְלֻמָּדָה מִבֶּֽטֶן וּמִלֵידָה׃	A fair and amiable bride,^[23] Talmud Bavli, Ketubot 17a learned in all good matters since the womb and since birth,
רָא֤וּהָ בָנוֹת֙ וַֽיְאַשְּׁר֔וּהָ וּבַעֲבוֹתוֹת הָאַהֲבָה קְשָׁרֽוּהָ חֲפָר֣וּהָ שָׂרִ֗ים כָּר֙וּהָ֙׃	daughters saw her and declared her content,^[24] Song of Songs 6:9 and in cords of love bound her, princes hewed into her, dug into her.^[25] Numbers 21:18
הֲלֹא הִיא הַכְּבוּדָה וְהַיְקָרָה כַּלְבָנָה וְכַחַמָּה בָּרָה לֹא־יִכְבֶּ֖ה בַלַּ֣יְלָה נֵרָֽהּ׃	Isn’t she glorified and honored? Like the pure moon and sun, her light is not extinguished at night!^[26] Proverbs 31:18
בַּת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא לוֹ הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה וְהַגְּבוּרָה עוֹטֶה כַּשָּׂלְמָה אוֹרָה׃	The daughter of the great, mighty, awesome Sovereign, whose is reign and greatness, wearing light like a cloak,^[27] Find Psalms 104:2
אֲדוֹן הָאֲדוֹנִים וְהַנְּסִיכִים וְהַכֹּל לְחַסְדּוֹ צְרִיכִים וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ל֥וֹ כׇל־מְלָכִ֑ים׃	the Master of masters and princes, of whom all requires Their mercy, and all sovereigns bow to Them,^[28] Psalms 72:11
אֲשֶׁר אֵין קֵץ לְגׇדְלוֹ וּמִי יוּכַל לְסַפֵּר מַהֲלָלוֹ שְׂרָפִ֨ים עֹמְדִ֤ים ׀ מִמַּ֙עַל֙ ל֔וֹ׃	whose greatness has no end, and who can tell Their praises? Cobra-angels stand over Them.^[29] Isaiah 6:2 —
הֱוִי לִי לְאִינְתּוּ כַדָּת וְכַהֲלָכָה כִּי אַעֲלֶה לָךְ אֲרוּכָה וַתִּצְלְחִי לִמְלוּכָה׃	“Be my wife,^[30] The next section begins here, returning to what the groom is saying to the bride. Much of this text is taken directly from the text of the ketubah itself. per the law and practice, for I will raise perpetuity to you, and you will succeed in reign.
וַאֲנָא בְסִיַּעְתָּא דִשְׁמַיָּא אֶפְלַח וְאוֹקֵיר וֶאֱזוּן וַאֲפַרְנֵס וַאֲכַלְכֵּל וַאֲכַסֶּה יָתִֽיכִי חֶֽסֶד וְרַחֲמִים אֲעַטְּרֵכִי וַאֲחַדֵּשׁ כַּנֶּ֣שֶׁר נְעוּרָֽיְכִי׃	And I, with heaven’s help, will work and honor and sustain and provide and feed and clothe you, in mercy and compassion I will crown you, I will renew your youth like the eagle.^[31] Find Psalms 103:5
כְּהִלְכַת גּוּבְרִין יְהוּדָאִין דְּפָלְחִין וּמוֹקְרִין וְזָנִין יָת־נְשֵׁיהוֹן בְּקוּשְׁטָא וְאֶתֵּן לִֽיכִי טַֽעַם וְעֵיטָא מֵאַלְפָא־בֵּיתָא רַבְּתָא עַד אַלְפָא־בֵּיתָא זוּטָא׃	By the practice of Jewish men who work and honor and feed their wives in truth, I will give you taste and counsel, from the great alphabet to the small alphabet.”
וּצְבִיאַת כַּלְתָא אוֹרָיְתָא דָּא לְהִנָּשֵׂא וְהִכְנִיסָה לוֹ בְתוֹרַת נְדוּנְיָא רַמַּ״ח מִצְוֺת עֲשֵׂה וְשַׁסַּ״הּ מִצְוֺת לֹא־תַעֲשֶׂה לְמִסְתּוֹר וּלְמַחְסֶה׃	And the bride,^[32] The next section begins here, the description of the bridal dowry (the commandments). this Torah, wishes to be taken, and brought to him in the teaching of the dowry, 248 obligatory and 365 prohibitory commandments, for protection and shelter.
וַהֲוָת לֵיהּ לַחֲתָנָא דְנָא לְאִינְתּוּ וּבְרִית הָאַהֲבָה בֵינֵיהֶם כָּרְתוּ עַל־לֽוּחַ לִבָּם חָרְתוּ׃	And she will be his, for this groom, as a bride, and the covenant of love they cut between them, engraved on the tablet of their heart.
וְדָא נְדוּנְיָא דְהַנְעָלַת לֵיהּ כַּלְתָא דָא מִצְוֺת וּמִשְׁפָּטִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהֶם כְּלָלִים וּפְרָטִים בָּתֵּי הַנֶּֽפֶשׁ וְהַחֲרִיטִים׃	And this dowry that this bride has brought to him, commandments and rulings, that have general and specific details, talismans and purses.
וְכֻלָּם נִכְלָלִים בַּעֲשֶֽׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים עַל־שְׁנֵי לוּחוֹת סַפִּירִים בְּהִירִים מְזֻקָקִים טְהוֹרִים׃	And they are all included in the Ten Commandments, on two bright sapphire tablets, refined, pure.
אָֽנֹכִ֖י֙ וְלֹֽ֣א־יִהְיֶ֥͏ֽה־לְךָ֛֩ אֱלֹהִ֥֨ים אֲחֵרִ֖֜ים וְלֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א לַשָּׁוְא שְׁבוּעוֹת שְׁקָרִים וְקַדֵּשׁ שַׁבָּת בְּאַרְבָּעִים מְלָאכוֹת חָסֵר אַחַת אֲסוּרִים׃	“I am” and “you will not have other gods,” and “you will not take” in vain false oaths, and sanctify the Sabbath with forty-minus-one prohibitions.
גַּם לְכַבֵּד אָב וָאֵם וְהוֹרִים וְלֹא־תִשְׁפֹּךְ דָּם נְקִיִּים וּבָרִים וְלֹא־קְדֵשׁוֹת וַעֲרָיוֹת וְזָרִים׃	And honor father and mother and parents, and spill no innocent and pure blood, and no prostitutes, sex-crimes, or strangers.
וְלֹ֣֖א תִּֿגְנֹֽ֔ב נְפָשׁוֹת מֵעַם נִבְחָרִים וְלֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה שְׁקָרִים בִּבְנֵי חֲבֵרִים וְלֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד וְתִתְאַוֶּה כׇל־שְׁאָר הַדְּבָרִים׃	And you will not steal souls from the chosen people, and you will not answer falsely with your friends, and you will not covet or desire any other things.
וּצְבִי חֲתָנָא דְנָא וְהוֹסִיף מִדִּילֵיהּ תַּקְנוֹת וּסְיָגִים וְחֻמְרוֹת וּמִנְהָגִים בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנָּה סוּגִים׃	And the groom wants to add from his enactments, sureties, stringencies, and customs, surrounded by lilies.
וְתוֹסֶֽפֶת עַל עִקַּר הַכְּתֻבָּה כׇּל־הַחֲפָצִים לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־בָֽהּ לֹֽא־תֶחְסַ֥ר כֹּ֖ל בָּ֑הּ׃	And the addition to the matter of this wedding-contract, no precious things compare to it;^[33] Find Proverbs 8:11 nothing is lacking, all is in it.^[34] Deuteronomy 8:9
נִמְצָא הַכֹּל נְדוּנְיָא וְתוֹסֶֽפֶת סַךְ תַּרְיַ״ג מִצְוֺת יְקָרוֹת וְאַלְפֵי אֲלָפִים סְיָגִים וְחוּמְרוֹת אַזְהָרוֹת וְחֻקִּים וְתוֹרוֹת׃	All is found, dowry and additions, in total 613 honored commandments thousands of thousands of sureties and stringencies, warnings and laws and teachings.
הַכֹּל קִבְּלָם חֲתָנָא עַל־עַצְמוֹ לְדַבֵּר בָּהֶם בְּשִׁבְתּוֹ וּבְקוּמוֹ וּבְלֶכְתּוֹ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ יוֹלִיכֶם עַמּוֹ׃	Everything the groom received to himself, to speak of them when he sits down and rises up, and when he goes on the way^[35] A reference to the language of the Shema. he takes them with him.
וּבָֽאוּ לְיָדוֹ וְנַעֲשׂוּ בִרְשׁוּתוֹ לַהֲגוֹת בָּהֶם כׇּל־יְמֵי חַיָּיו וּבְיוֹם מוֹתוֹ יֵלְכוּ עִמּוֹ לְלַוּוֹת אוֹתוֹ׃	And they came beside him and were done by his right, to utter them all the days of his life and the day he dies, they will go with him to accompany him,
וּזְקָפָן עַל־עַצְמוֹ בְּמִלְוָה וּרְשׁוּ כְּדֵי שֶׁמִּפִּיו לֹא־יָמוּשׁוּ וּ֝פְתָיִ֗ים עָבְר֥וּ וְֽנֶעֱנָֽשׁוּ׃ (משלי כב:ג)	and they came upon him in possession and ownership, so as not to depart from his lips, and the simple who trasgress are punished. (Proverbs 22:3)
וּכְנִכְסֵי צֹאן בַּרְזֶל יִהְיוּ בִגְבוּלוֹ מְנָת חֶלְקוֹ וְגוֹרָלוֹ אִם־פִּחֲתוּ פִּחֲתוּ לוֹ וְאִם־הוֹתִֽירוּ הוֹתִֽירוּ לוֹ׃	And like heritage assets^[36] Literally “iron flock assets,” a term dating back to the Mishnaic era. they will be in his border, his portion and lot, their loss is his loss, their gain is his gain.^[37] Talmud Bavli Bava Kamma 102b
וְכָךְ אָמַר לָֽנָא חֲתָנָא דְנָא אַחֲרָיוּת כְּתֻבָּה וּנְדוּנְיָא וְתוֹסֶֽפֶת אִילִין קַבֵּילִית עָלַי שֶׁלֹא־אֶשְׁכָּחֵם וְעַל־לֽוּחַ לִבִּי אַנִּיחֵם וּמִלְחֲמוֹת יְהֹוָה אֶהְיֶה לוֹחֵם׃	And thus^[38] The next section begins here, the description of the terms this groom said to us, “This guarantee of the bridal-contract and dowry and these additions I have accepted upon myself not to forget them, on the tablet of my heart I have rested them, and in the battles of the Cause I will be a fighter.
קַבֵּילִית עָלַי וְעַל־יָרְתַאי בָּתְרַאי לִלְמֹד בָּהֶם קֶֽבַע וְלֹא־עֲרַאי וְנָקָם אָשִׁיב לְצָרָי׃	I have accepted upon myself and my heirs after me to study them fixedly, not occasionally, and return vengeance on my foes.^[39] Find Deuteronomy 32:41
וְעַל־כׇּל־שְׁפַר אֲרַג נְכָסִים וְקִנְיָנִין דְּאִית־לִי תְּחוֹת כׇּל־שְׁמַיָּא לְמִהְגֵּה בָּהּ לֵילְיָא וְיוֹמַיָּא וְאַף בֵּין אוּמַיָּא וְלִישָׁנַיָּיא׃	And on all the pleasant array of assets and acquisitions that I have under all heaven, to utter them night and day, and even among the nations and languages.
הַתְּנָאִים שֶׁהִתְנוּ בֵּינֵיהֶם הֶחָתָן וְהַכַּלָּה יִשְׁמְרֵם צוּרָם לִהְיוֹת בַּיהֹוָה שִׂבְרָם מָגִנָּם וְעֶזְרָם׃	These terms were termed between bride and groom, may their Rock guard them: that the Cause be their hope, shield, and help,
וְשֶׁלֹּא יַעֲשֹׂק בִּמְלָאכָה אַחֶֽרֶת רַק לֶאֱכֹל מִלַּחְמָהּ וְלִשְׁתּוֹת מִיֵּינָהּ וְשַׁמְנָהּ וּמֵימָהּ לִשְׁכַּ֥ב אֶצְלָ֖הּ לִהְי֥וֹת עִמָּֽהּ׃	and not to delve in other work, but to eat her bread and drink her wine and fat and water, to lie with her and be with her.^[40] Genesis 39:10
וְשֶׁלֹּא יִשָּׂא אִשָּׁה אַחֶֽרֶת עָלֶֽיהָ וְלִשְׁמֹר כְּלָלֶֽיהָ וּפְרָטֶֽיהָ וְזָר לֹא יִקְרַב אֵלֶֽיהָ׃	and that he take no other wife but her, and to guard her generalities and specificities, and not to let a stranger come near her,^[41] Related to the prohibition on teaching gentiles Torah.
וְשֶׁלֹּא יְפַתֶּנָּה לִמְחֹל לוֹ כְּתֻבָּתָהּ לֹא־כֻלָּהּ וְלֹא־מִקְצָתָהּ בְּאַהֲבָת֖וֹ אֹתָֽהּ׃	and not to convince her to renege on her contract, none of it, not a bit of it, out of love for her.^[42] Genesis 29:20
וְאִם מָחֲלָה לוֹ לֹא־יְהִי מָחוּל כְּלָל וְעִקָּר כִּי־אִם־שָׁגֹה יִשְׁגֶּה וְשִׁקַּר וְאָדָם בַּל־יָלִין בִּיקָר׃	Even if she reneges it, he will not reneged in any matter, for if he erantly errs and lies, a man will not lie in honor.^[43] Find Psalms 59:13
וְהַדִּירָה לִרְצוֹנָהּ בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ דְבָרֶֽיהָ עַל־לִבּוֹ חֲרוּתוֹת דִינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת וְדִינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת׃	And her desired dwelling, in synagogues and study-halls, so that her words will be engraved on his heart, property law and capital law.
וְשֶׁלֹּא יֵלֵךְ לְאֶֽרֶץ אַחֶֽרֶת וְיַנִיחֶֽנָּה יְחִידָה וְגַלְמוּדָה וְאִם־יֵלֶךְ יִקָחֶֽנָּה עִמּוֹ הַצִּדָּה נֵ֣רְדְּ ׀ וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם קָנֶה֙ וְקִדָּה׃	And that he not go to another land, leaving her alone and forsaken, and if he goes, to take her with him at his side, spikenard and saffron, cane,^[44] Song of Songs 4:14 and cassia.
וְהַיְרֻשָּׁה כְּדִין תּוֹרָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה כִּֽי־יִקַּ֥ח אִ֖ישׁ אִשָּׁ֑ה תּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ מֹשֶׁ֑ה מוֹרָשָׁ֖ה׃	And the inheritance is this holy Torah, when a man takes a woman,^[45] Deuteronomy 22:13 the Torah Moses commanded us an inheritance.^[46] Deuteronomy 33:4
וְשֶׁלֹּא יִמְכֹּר וִימַשְׁכֵּן שׁוּם דָּבָר מִתַּכְשִׁיטֶֽיהָ וְכֻלָּם יִהְיוּ לְמוּלֶֽיהָ וְזָר לֹא יִקְרַב אֵלֶֽיהָ׃	And that he not sell or pledge any of her adornments, all of which will be with her, and no stranger will come near her.
וְחֹֽמֶר וְחֹֽזֶק שְׁטַר כְּתֻבָּה דָא יוֹתֵר מֵחֹֽמֶר וְחֹֽזֶק כׇּל־שִׁטְרֵי בְנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה לְתוֹרָ֖ה וְלִתְעוּדָ֑ה׃	And^[47] The next section begins here, emphasizing the force of the contract. the stringency and force of this contract document is more than the stringency and force of all the documents of the daughters of Israel and Judah, for teaching and for message.^[48] Isaiah 8:20
דְּלָא־כְאַסְמַכְתָּא וּדְלָא־כְּטוֹפְסֵי דְשִׁטְרֵי דְּכָתְבֵי יָתְהוֹן אַלָּמֵי וְשַׁקָּרִי אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יָרֵֽא׃ (בראשית מב:יח)	Unlike a conditional promise, or all forms of documents that are written by fools and liars: God I fear! (Genesis 42:18)
אֶֽלָּא כְּהֹֽגֶן וּכְתִקּוּן חֲכָמִים זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה אֲשֶׁר הוֹרֽוּנוּ כַדָּת וְכַהֲלָכָה מִשְׁפָּט הַמְּלוּכָה׃	Rather, fairly, as the sages of blessed memory entailed, who taught us by the law and praxis, the rule of the reign.
וְקָנֵינָא מֵחֲתָנָא דְנָא קִנְיָן גָּמוּר לְקַיֵּם כׇּל־הַכָּתוּב כָּאָמוּר מִנְהָג וּסְיָג וְקַל וְחָמוּר׃	And we acquired^[49] Finally, the concluding section, the testimonials of the contract. from the groom this total aquiring, to fulfill all as written, as said, custom and surety and leniency and stringency.
וְנִשְׁבַּע הֶחָתָן שְׁבוּעָה חֲמוּרָה לְקַיֵּם כׇּל־הַמִּצְוֺת וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וְהַחֻקִּים וְלֹא יִהְיֶה כְּאַחַד הָרֵיקִים לַעֲבֹר עַל־אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָקִים׃	And the groom swore a stringent oath to fulfill all the commandments and rulings and laws, and not to be like one of the empty ons, transgressing by not fulfilling..
וְכָתוֹב וְהָעֵד עֵדִים נֶאֱמָנִים הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְהָאָֽרֶץ וְהַיָּם וְאִם־יְקַיֵּם כׇּל־הַכָּתוּב יִתְּנוּ פִרְיָם וְהַכֹּל שָׁרִיר וּבָרִיר וְקַיָּם׃	And it was written, and trustworthy witnesses witnessed — the heaven and earth and sea, and if all that is written is fulfilled it will bear fruit, and all is binding, clear, and established.
וְכׇל־צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם נָשְׂאוּ קוֹלָם וּבְנֵי הָאֲדָמָה עוֹמְדִים לְמוּלָם וְכִלָּם אָמְרוּ יִמְלֹ֤ךְ יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ לְעוֹלָ֗ם׃ (תהלים קמו:י)	And all the host of heaven raise their voices, and the children of mortals stand alongside them, and all say, The Cause reigns forever! (Psalms 146:10)

Notes

Notes
1	Deuteronomy 33:2
2	After this introductory verse, the first section begins, describing the date (Shavuot) and place (Sinai) of the marriage between Israel and the Torah.
3	Psalms 135:4
4	Psalms 103:17
5	Find Psalms 132:13.
6	The next section begins here, the description of the groom (Israel).
7	Jeremiah 31:9
8	Isaiah 53:10
9	Find Job 28:17
10	Isaiah 11:2
11	Proverbs 18:10
12	Song of Songs 4:4
13	An abbreviation for כְּבוֹד מוֹרֵֽנוּ הָרַב רַבִּי Our honored teacher the rav Rabbi
14	An abbreviation for נַטְרֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא וּפַרְקֵיהּ May the Merciful One guard and save him
15	Psalms 42:9
16	The next section begins here, the description of the bride (the Torah), and her parent (God).
17	Than the universe, according to Bereshit Rabbah 8:2
18	Psalms 19:8
19	Song of Songs 2:1
20	Proverbs 5:19
21	Proverbs 31:30
22	Proverbs 31:30
23	Talmud Bavli, Ketubot 17a
24	Song of Songs 6:9
25	Numbers 21:18
26	Proverbs 31:18
27	Find Psalms 104:2
28	Psalms 72:11
29	Isaiah 6:2
30	The next section begins here, returning to what the groom is saying to the bride. Much of this text is taken directly from the text of the ketubah itself.
31	Find Psalms 103:5
32	The next section begins here, the description of the bridal dowry (the commandments).
33	Find Proverbs 8:11
34	Deuteronomy 8:9
35	A reference to the language of the Shema.
36	Literally “iron flock assets,” a term dating back to the Mishnaic era.
37	Talmud Bavli Bava Kamma 102b
38	The next section begins here, the description of the terms
39	Find Deuteronomy 32:41
40	Genesis 39:10
41	Related to the prohibition on teaching gentiles Torah.
42	Genesis 29:20
43	Find Psalms 59:13
44	Song of Songs 4:14
45	Deuteronomy 22:13
46	Deuteronomy 33:4
47	The next section begins here, emphasizing the force of the contract.
48	Isaiah 8:20
49	Finally, the concluding section, the testimonials of the contract.

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut)

From a family of musicians, Isaac Gantwerk Mayer believes that creative art is one of the most powerful ways to get in touch with the divine. He composes music and poetry in Hebrew and English. (He also translates and authors his own original works.) Isaac runs a Jewish music transcription service, which will transcribe and set any Jewish music in any language, recorded or written. Contact his service on Facebook or via his music blog.

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation)

From a family of musicians, Isaac Gantwerk Mayer believes that creative art is one of the most powerful ways to get in touch with the divine. He composes music and poetry in Hebrew and English. (He also authors his own original works and transcribes Hebrew and Aramaic text, adding niqqud and t'amim as needed.) Isaac runs a Jewish music transcription service, which will transcribe and set any Jewish music in any language, recorded or written. Contact his service on Facebook or via his music blog.

Saadiyah ben Yosef ha-Levi

Rabbi Saadiyah ben Yosef ha-Levi (fl. 16th c.) was a Yemenite rabbi, poet, and paytan. Saadiah was one of the leading scholars of his time in Sanʿa (and later in Jiblah). He composed piyyutim and poems. Several of his piyyutim, including one on the Akedah (the binding of Isaac), were published or mentioned by H. Brody, D. Sassoon, and A.Z. Idelsohn (see bibliography). Zechariah al-Dahiri composed a panegyric in his honor, published in the Sefer ha-Musar, in which he notes that Saadiah lived in Sanʿa at the time of the persecutions of 1568 and describes the latter's greatness in Torah. He may possibly be the Saadiah b. Joseph whose piyyut was published in the Aleppo prayer book of 1527.

Stable Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=67585

Associated Image:

Ketubah from Yemen. San’a, Yemen, 1794 Groom: Abraham, son of Mussa, son of Yahya Salem al-Cohen al-‘Araqi Bride: Rumiyyeh, daughter of Abraham Salem al-Sheikh al-Levi

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ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו׃ (תהלים צ:יז) · "May the pleasantness of אדֹני our elo’ah be upon us; may our handiwork be established for us — our handiwork, may it be established." (Psalms 90:17)