Brothering Ketubah
Blessed is the Oneness, Spirit of the Universe, Which brings us Together and makes us more Whole
A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract, generally between a bride and groom. As with any rich theory or tradition, however, a ketubah can be adapted, reformed, renewed, and reconstructed for many other positive purposes. A ketubah, therefore, can be used to ritualize and codify the informal practice of what anthropologists and sociologists call “fictive kin,” and what others have sometimes informally referred to as “blood brothers,” as when people who are not considered family “go for brothers,” for example. Likewise with going for sisters, or siblings, or cousins, or any other relationship formed through choice and non-romantic love, not only through biology or traditional marriage.
Just as I have adapted a traditional ketubah for the sacred purpose of brothering, I encourage others to adapt this ketubah to fit their own personal relationships, circumstances, needs, and desires.
May we all continue the proud tradition of reforming, renewing, and reconstructing our traditions and societies to seek and find oneness, peace, justice, and joy in our diverse and interconnected lives.
Blessed is the Oneness, Spirit of the Universe,
Which brings us Together and makes us more Whole.
Recognizing the importance of Family, of Brotherhood,
the Infinite Possibilities available to each of us,
and the Sanctity and Solidarity of Unity amongst Diversity,
We hereby Adopt and Accept each other as Brothers,
Now, Always, and Forevermore.
By Circumstance, by Choice, with Intention, with Love:
We Bond with each other and Commit to each other
in the perpetual pursuit of Peace with Justice and Equality,
within the Jewish histories, cultures, and evolving traditions
of Torah, Talmud, Kabalah, Musar, & Midrash,
with the Secular modernities
of Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, & Sociology,
through the Universal communications
of Language, Art, Music, Science, Mathematics, Play, & Humor,
and in the Personal Passions of our individual Selves,
within our holy Diasporic community,
All Fraternal Support, Protection, Nurturance, Encouragement, & Development:
Mental, Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, & Spiritual,
Social, Political, & Economic,
Cultural, Educational, Gastronomic, & Otherwise.
We willingly do so with Freedom & Joy
in the San Francisco Bay Area
in the Year 5786/2025.
We hereby Transform our Relationship
from Loving each other like brothers
to one of Loving each other as Brothers.
I am your brother,
You are my brother.
We are Brothers.
It is Written & Recognized. And as it is Written, so shall it be Done.
