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According to the Torah, the notion of marriage dates back to Adam and Eve. It is
interesting to note that some believe God actually officiated at the marriage between
Adam and Eve. As such it accentuates the important place weddings hold in Judaic life.
Moreover one of the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah is to be fruitful and multiply.
In ancient times marriage was actually the reserving of a woman, for in those days women
were considered more like property. In the times of the Bible, marriages were more of an
arrangement. While romantic love did exist, parents generally sought out appropriate mates
for their children. This practice of arranging unions, between men and women led to the
notion of shadchan or matchmaker. In keeping with the concept of women being more like
property, the man wishing to marry a daughter paid a sum of money (bride price) to the
father for the daughter.
After all women were able to make a home and work very hard, and if a father was now going
to lose his daughter, he should be compensated. As time passed the (bride price) became
more symbolic and the money was used to purchase the trousseau. The exchange of rings has
also developed from the practice of monetary compensation for the bride. The ring,
symbolizing value, is given to the bride. Today, the ring also represents a never ending
circle similar to a never ending love/marriage.
A wedding cannot occur on certain days of the Jewish Calendar. For example, one cannot get
married on Shabbat, the holidays, nor days of fasting. Traditionally Jewish people would
wear white at their wedding to symbolize purity. The Shabbat before the wedding, the groom
(and bride in liberal settings) is called up to read the blessings over the Torah. This
ceremony is called the aufruf.
In addition to the traditional rituals that take place before the wedding, there are key
symbols that are associated with the actual wedding day. The huppah (marriage canopy) that
we see today is based on the ritual practiced in ancient times where a bride was escorted
by the groom to a special room where the couple was able to be alone. A huppah can be a
tallit or a velvet cloth. friends of the couple use four poles to support and hold the
covering over the Rabbi and couple during the ceremony.
There are many other rituals that Jewish people may complete depending on the sect of
Judaism they practice. For example, Orthodox Jews have the bride circle the man seven times
during the ceremony in an attempt to symbolize the courting of a man.
Similarly in an Orthodox or Conservative ceremony the Ketubah or marriage contract is read
aloud and signed. The Ketubah serves to protect the rights of the bride and ensure her
interests are protected.
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