Marriage Contract for Shavuot

This rare ketubbah celebrates the symbolic union between God, the bridegroom, and the People of Israel, the bride, a conceit derived from a Jewish legend. This spiritual wedding takes place on the holiday of Shavuot, and the witnesses are the Heavens and the Earth. The story of Moses, including the giving the Law that is commemorated on Shavuot, is illustrated above and below the text, which is flanked by the figures of Moses and Aaron. The composition is similar to those on title pages of Hebrew and German printed books as well as Hebrew manuscripts.