RCA

Rabbinic Council of America is the old school standard text written in Aramaic. The English file has both the translation or an english accompaniment that describes a vision of the future.


Conservative

The Conservative Text is a more egalitarian version of the original Aramaic text and includes the Lieberman Clause. This clause was added to the Traditional Orthodox text in 1953 and allows for the woman in a heterosexual union to request a get (the traditional Jewish divorce document). Not very romantic, I know, but in its day it was radical and a way to allow more agency in an otherwise patriarchal agreement.


Brit Ahuvim - “Lovers’ Covenant”

While frequently used interchangeably, a Brit Ahuvim or Lovers’ Covenant is distinct from a Brit Nissuin or Marriage Covenant. In a traditional wedding covenant, the groom “acquires” the bride after agreeing to provide the bride a symbolic amount of compensation should the marriage end for any reason. Not surprisingly, many couples object to the traditional language of acquisition, preferring language that defines partnership as a joining of equals.



Reform