And Now, Something Jewish

I saw an ad in the paper and although it has nothing to do with politics, the media, Yesha or the media, I just had to comment.

First, here it is:-



It is intended to promote registration at two educational institutions, Machon Lev and Machon Navah or, as it is known in English, the Jerusalem College of Technology. They both promote integrating orthodox students into the technological world. The JCT is

one of Israel’s major academic institutions of higher education that specializes in high-tech engineering, industrial management and life and health sciences. As one of Israel’s main accredited engineering schools recognized by Israel’s Council of Higher Education, JCT graduates approximately many of Israel’s high tech engineers and most of its electro - optic engineers. The fields of study in which our students earn their degrees are: Physics & Electro-Optics Engineering, Physics & Medical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering & Management, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Managerial Accounting & Information Systems, and Technology Management and Marketing.

So, what drew my attention?

Well, the ad displays a portion of the Ketubah which is the traditional marriage contract which enumerates the material, conjugal and other responsbilities a Jewish husband is obliged to rpovide his wife. It is signed by the groom, as well as two witnesses, just prior to the wedding ceremony and given to the bride under the chuppah canopy.

It protects a woman's rights during the marriage as well as if a divorce takes place and even when she is widowed.

The ketubah used today was composed by R. Shimon Ben-Shetach in 80 B.C.E. and is in Aramaic, the language used by Jews during that period.

Here's the English translation of the portion that appears in the ad:-

"And I will work for, esteem, feed and support you as is the custom of Jewish men who work for, esteem, feed and support their wives faithfully. And I will give you ________________ and I will provide you food and clothing and necessities..."

And then the ad reads: "We help you to fulfill your obligations".

There has been a major shift in the thinking of the Hareidi/Orthodox world and more and more men who are not natural-born scholars are leaving the Kollel world and trying to learn a trade, occupation or other self-supporting venture.

The ad really takes a dig at the old ways and highlights that by stressing that for the past 2000 years, that's exactly what a husband was supposed to be doing - providing for the economic well-being of his wife and family.