Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Sets Limits on Ketubah Amounts

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council has approved a decision setting a minimum amount of 36,000 shekels and a maximum of 360,000 shekels for the ketubah amount in wedding ceremonies. The move was reported today, Sunday, by Ynet.

The council explained that the measure is intended to prevent “imaginary ketubot” that lack financial backing, and to avoid legal difficulties and complications in rabbinical courts during divorce proceedings. The proposal was advanced by a committee of rabbinical judges headed by Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rishon LeZion Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar.

Among other concerns, it was argued that in the past, grooms would commit to unrealistic, enormous sums without having the actual financial means to meet those obligations. Rabbinical courts also faced halachic and legal questions over whether a contract made without genuine intent or the ability to pay was valid. The high sums listed in ketubot often created serious obstacles and disputes, making it harder to conclude divorce proceedings fairly.

In addition to the Chief Rabbis, the committee of rabbinical judges included Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, chair of the Marriage Committee and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council; judges of the High Rabbinical Court Rabbi Avraham Shindler, Rabbi Meir Freeman, Rabbi David Bardugo, Rabbi Zion Luz and Rabbi Avraham Shalosh; and Rabbi Yisrael Meir Yonah.