Judaism: Marriage Ceremonies | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Jewish Marriage Ceremonies

Before the Wedding

According to Torah law, Jewish marriage involves a two-step process:

• Kiddushin: This initial stage, meaning "holy" or "sanctified," signifies the sacred nature of the engagement period. It is commonly referred to as betrothal, marking the commitment before the wedding.
• Nisu'in: This second stage completes the marriage process, formalizing the union.

Betrothal (Kiddushin):

• Traditionally, a ceremony is held approximately one year before the wedding to formalize the betrothal.
• In Orthodox Judaism, the couple refrains from seeing each other for one week prior to the wedding ceremony, emphasizing the sanctity of this period.

The Wedding

Jewish weddings are versatile in timing and location, with specific restrictions and traditions:

• Timing and Venue: Weddings may occur on any day except Shabbat or Jewish festivals. They can be held in a synagogue or a non-religious venue, such as a hotel, accommodating various Jewish denominations.

Stages of the Jewish Marriage Ceremony

The wedding ceremony consists of several key stages:

• Seven Blessings: These blessings, recited during the ceremony, praise God for creating humanity and bringing joy to the couple. A notable blessing is:
  "We bless you, God, who brings bride and groom together to rejoice in each other."
• Groom’s Vow: The groom makes a solemn vow during the ceremony:
  "Behold, you are sanctified to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel."
• Ring Ceremony: The groom places a ring on the bride’s index finger, symbolizing eternity, and declares:
  "Behold, you are consecrated to me by means of this ring according to the rituals of Moses and Israel."
• Nisu'in: The second part of the ceremony, where seven additional blessings are recited to finalize the marriage. This often takes place in a private room with the couple alone.
• Mazel Tov: Guests greet the newlyweds with the Hebrew phrase Mazel Tov, meaning "Good Luck" or "Congratulations."
• The Hora: At the reception, the couple participates in the traditional Jewish wedding dance known as the Hora.

Differences Between Orthodox and Reform Ceremonies

There are distinct differences between Orthodox and Reform Jewish wedding ceremonies:

Marriage holds profound spiritual and communal importance in Judaism:

• Divine Blessing: Marriage is considered a divine blessing and the foundation of family life, with an expectation that Jews will marry and have children.
• Spiritual Bonding: It represents a sacred bond between two individuals, fulfilling God’s commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:22).
• Biblical Foundation: The verse, "Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), underscores the unity of marriage.
• Sanctity of Intimacy: Many Jews believe sexual relationships are reserved for marriage, as supported by interpretations of texts like Ruth 3:13, which discourages pre-marital intimacy.
• Completeness: Both the Torah and Talmud emphasize that an unmarried person is incomplete. For example:
  • "A man who does not marry is not a complete person" (Leviticus 34a).
  • "Any man who has no wife lives without joy, without blessing, and without goodness" (Yevamot 62b).
• Maimonides’ Perspective: The philosopher Maimonides highlighted that animal mating is temporary and physical, but marriage sanctifies the bond, making husband and wife the closest of relatives.

The Significance of the Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony carries deep symbolic and spiritual meaning:

• Re-enactment of Sinai: Many Jews view the ceremony as a re-enactment of the covenant between God and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, with the wedding day considered a personal Yom Kippur—the holiest and most auspicious day of one’s life.
• Legal Commitment: The ceremony is a legal transaction, establishing a mutually binding commitment between the bride and groom.
• Symbolic Acts:
  • Chuppah: A cloth canopy supported by four poles, under which the couple stands during the ceremony. It symbolizes the new home and is open on all sides to welcome guests.
  • Circling the Groom: The bride circles the groom seven (or sometimes three) times upon reaching the Chuppah. This act may represent the seven wedding blessings, signify the groom as the center of the bride’s life, or reflect the seven days of creation.
  • The Ring: In Orthodox ceremonies, the groom gives the bride a ring, its complete circle symbolizing the eternal bond between husband and wife.