Judaism: Marriage Ceremonies (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Jewish Marriage Ceremonies

Before the Wedding

• According to Torah law, marriage is a two-step process

  • The first step is called 'kiddushin'

  • The second step is known as 'nisu'in'

• Betrothal, or kiddushin, is usually an engagement period before a wedding

  • Kiddushin means holy or sanctified indicating the importance of this period before the marriage

  • Traditionally, a ceremony would be held a year before the wedding to mark the betrothal

• The two partners in an Orthodox Jewish couple do not see each other for a week before the wedding ceremony

The Wedding

• A Jewish wedding can happen on any day other than Shabbat or one of the Jewish festivals

• In all forms of Judaism, it is allowed for weddings to be commemorated either in a synagogue or in a non-religious venue, such as a hotel

• There are several stages to the wedding ceremony:

Jewish wedding ceremony stages

• The 7 blessings that take place praise God for creating the human race & bringing happiness to the couple:

• During the ceremony, the groom will make a vow:

• The groom places a ring on the bride’s index finger as a symbol of eternity and declares:

• The second part of the service is called Nisuin

  • Seven further blessings are said to finalise the marriage. This is done in a separate room with the couple alone together

• Guests will greet the married couple with the phrase Mazel Tov, which is a Hebrew phrase meaning 'Good Luck' or 'Congratulations'

• At the reception the couple will take part in a wedding dance called the Hora

• There are some differences between Orthodox and Reform ceremonies:

Significance of Jewish Marriage Ceremonies

The Significance of Marriage within Judaism

• Jewish rites and rituals continue into adulthood with marriage, which is considered a blessing from God and the basis for family life

  • Traditionally, there has been an expectation that all Jews will marry and have children

• Marriage is seen as a spiritual bonding between two people and as the fulfilment of God's commandment

• In Judaism, marriage shows holiness in everyday life and fulfils the commandment to be 'fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:22)

• Many Jews believe that sexual relationships should be enjoyed only within marriage

  • Maimonides stated that whereas the mating of animals is a purely physical and temporary act, through the sanctification of marriage, husband and wife become the closest of relatives

  • The rabbis in Sifrei Bemidar interpreted Ruth 3:13 as instructing Jews not to engage in any potential for intimacy before marriage

• Both the Torah and the Talmud view a man without a wife, or a woman without a husband, as incomplete. This is demonstrated in several passages:

The Significance of the Wedding Ceremony

• Many Jews believe that each marriage ceremony is a re-enactment of the marriage between God and the Jewish people that took place at Mount Sinai. The wedding day is a personal Yom Kippur or the holiest and most auspicious day of someone's life

• Marriage is also a legal transaction, by which the bride and groom enter a mutually binding commitment

• The wedding ceremony contains several symbolic acts that are of great significance to Jews

  • The Chuppah is a cloth canopy supported by 4 poles and is where the Bride and groom stand underneath and become married

    • It symbolises the new home and is open at all sides to welcome guests

  • On reaching the Chuppah, the Bride walks around the Groom 7 times, or sometimes 3 times

    • There are different views of what this represents including, it corresponds with the 7 wedding blessings and demonstrates that the groom is the centre of the Brides’ life and the 7 days it took God to create the world

  • The ring that is given by the groom to the bride in Orthodox services

    • The complete circle of the ring symbolises the endless bond between husband and wife