As we are about to enter into the k'dushah of marriage, we take upon ourselves this covenant of love, outlining the principles and guidelines upon which we aim to build our relationship. We view these as a basic framework for a living and flexible partnership which should grow with our understanding of each other - never forgetting to be playful and creative. We commit ourselves to these principles until such a time that they become impossible to uphold, at which time we will formally dissolve this agreement and replace it with a new one.

Love, respect, communication and problem solving - our relationship with each other

- We should celebrate each other and cherish both our shared values and the differences which breathe life and creativity into our relationship.
- There is an equal responsibility for entering and maintaining our marriage.
- We will always strive in our partnership to be sensitive to each other's needs, to allow sharing of thoughts, feelings and experiences.
- We will try to see each other and the world with optimism, integrity and honesty, and where there are problems, to deal with them with compassion, reconciliation and forgiveness without compromising ourselves.
- We recognise that the tone and the volume of our voice can hurt - we will try to always find ways of communicating by talking and listening with respect.
- We will always try to communicate clearly and honestly and if we need, will seek external professional help.
- Part of deepening our understanding and love for each other is actively learning about the other's background, culture and language.
- We recognise the other's right not to be touched.
- We aim to be for each other committed friends, companions and lovers. We will take no other lover or sexual partner - there should be a level of intimacy beyond which we will not involve ourselves with another person.
- Recognising that love comes with responsibilities, we will always try to give love for its own sake and to treat each other with special holiness.
- Let us never stop being playful.
- We commit to a life of physical health and wellness, which includes two healthy bodies and healthy minds, as well as taking the proper care of our own and our family's safety and security.
- We agree to look after each other in health or in sickness, to support each other through any emotional or physical crisis.

Career, house and family - the space we create around us:

- We recognise that we are equal decision-makers in our partnership. Each partner will work to empower the other to be involved in the decisions that affect our lives
- There should be no assumption as to whose career will take precedence over the other's. Both of our careers are important.
- We will always be able to stop and look at each other, to find a way to limit the business and busy-ness in our lives
- Although we will always strive to be engaged with the outside world, we will never give their demands or influence more importance than those we have for ourselves and each other.
- Even in a situation where we may not agree with the other's position, we will do as much as we can to support them.
- As far as the bounds of our relationship allow, we will support each other physically, emotionally and spiritually to attain the goals we set for ourselves.
- In each other's country, we recognise the other's unfamiliarity and the imbalance that results from it - and we will work to make up for that, even if it means compromising in favour of the one who is in a less familiar culture.
- We want our house to be a sanctuary of peace, constantly filled with music, food and guests.
- Any children that we may have will be loved, respected, looked after and listened to, however, while that will involve huge compromises in our own lives, that love should never be at the expense of our own love and space.
- They will be brought up in a home that teaches them to "do justice, love goodness, and to walk modestly with your God" (Michah 6:8).
- They should feel at home in both of our cultures and languages.

Our relationship to the world and its creatures, how we deal with others:

- Realising that we live in an imperfect world, we will strive l'taken olam b'malchut shaddai - to repair the world that is in the rulership of God.
- We recognise that the universe that sustains us is a fragile one, and we will do everything we can not to damage it.
- We commit ourselves to never stop learning, in chavrutah with each other, in text and in spoken word.
- We commit ourselves to trying to understand the world through ongoing study, travel and openness to cultures, and aim to be citizens of the world, rather than simply any one nation.