Kethubah [Marriage Contract]. Printed on vellum, with manuscript additions in a scribal hand. Marriage of “Isaac ben Avraham Avinu” to “Rikla bath R. Nethanel”

(ANGLO-JUDAICA).

15 Kislev, 5598

London

[1838]

Text between two garlanded columns. At top, two cherubs blowing trumpets from which emit the words ”Kol sasson ve-kol simcha” [the sound of gladness and rejoicing]. At top center, the Hebrew initials “K.A.” appear within a Star of David

Kethubah of an English Convert to Judaism. Generally, the name of the groom’s father would appear in the Kethubah. However, in the case of a “ger tzedek” or proselyte, this is not possible, so instead, paternity is attributed to the Patriarch Abraham, “Avraham Avinu.” Signed on the Kethubah are two trustees of the London congregation, “Shimon [illegible]” and “Moshe ben Shlomo Zalman.” Their title is given as “[shamash ve-] ne’eman.” The groom has signed at the bottom “Yitzchak bar Avraham, he-Chathan,” in a fine Hebrew hand. CONNECTED TO THE JESSEL FAMILY. PROF JEREMY PFEFFER KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS…