Beginnings Ketubah

In 1980, on my only trip to Istanbul, I toured the Topkapi Palace Museum and was captivated by the opulence of beautifully executed Persian illuminated manuscripts—gifts to the Sultan centuries ago.

I was struck by the richness of their blues, as deep as the night sky and as vibrant as lapis. This ketubah, entitled Beginnings, symbolizes the start of a couple’s new life together. The Hebrew text framing the work contains the opening words of Bereshit (בראשית) — "In the Beginning", the first passage of the Torah.

Within the frame, the background shimmers in a deep blue, reminiscent of the Persian illuminations I had seen. Palm trees stand beside an arch, opening to an impression of Jerusalem. Below the palms, two Stars of David hold symbolic imagery: one features a body of water beneath a full moon, illuminating the night sky; the other reflects the sun’s golden light on a still sea—both evoking the story of "In the Beginning" as it takes shape.

Below the stars, intricate geometric patterns serve a purely decorative purpose, accompanied by stylized "Fox" flowers. At the base, a peacock emerges from within a menorah, the most ancient of Jewish symbols, representing fertility and good fortune.

This ketubah is designed to celebrate the beauty of love and Jewish art  serving as a testament to our rich heritage and our eternal sense of renewal—in the beginning.