In ancient Judaism betrothment is the first stage of the marital process. It is called "Ketubbah" (ka-tuba) which means formal courtship. The Ketubbah stage is initiated when a promise of marriage and money is made by the groom to the bride's father and a marital contract is drawn up. The Ketubbah stage could last as long as 7 years depending on the amount of money the gro...