Family Matters

Jewish Marriage Divine Origin Hosea 2:21 describes God as being Married to the Jewish people. It is a Mitzvoth for the father to see his son to the altar and to provide enough material support that his daughter will be marriageable

In Jewish terms marriage is not a simple uniting of two individuals. It evokes the master narrative of Israel and becomes paradigmatic for the formation of Israelite society. Marriage acts out the creation of the world and the restoration of Paradise in Zion.

Bereshit Rabbah 68:4 How long did it take the Holy One, blessed be He, to create the world she asked. Six days, the rabbi said What has He been doing since then? She queried Rabbi Halafta replied The Holy One, blessed be He is busy making marriages

Shadchan Marriage broker Perpetuate the links of numerous generations

Chupah: Canopy under heavens Ruth 3.9 Isaac brought her into the tent and he took Rebecca and she became his wife and he loved her

Mikveh Ritual purification by water for the bride On the day of the wedding bride and groom recites the confessional prayer from the Day of Atonement, and fasts taking neither food nor drink until after the ceremony Groom removes all jewelry before wedding as a sign of sorrow for the destruction of the Temple

Kabbalat Panim Reception for groom where he gives a Talmudic discourse. The groom is then escorted to his bride and lowers the bridal veil over her face, recalling Rebecca who covered her face as she beheld Isaac from afar.

Eurisn betrothal Blessed are You, O Lord our god King of the Universe Who creates the fruit of the vine Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe Who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us regarding forbidden unions Who forbid us those betrothed to others And permitted us to those married to us Through Chupah and Kiddushin Blessed are You, O Lord, Who sanctifies His people Israel Through Chupah and Kiddushin (Lev. 18:6-23)

Reading of the Ketubah Details the a husband’s obligations to his wife

Obligations: Women : Provide any earnings from labor The ability to own property The right to say no to sexual advances The right to be physically secure

Obligations: Men Provide wives with food, clothing, medical care, conjugal relations, ransom if she is kidnapped, suitable burial if she dies first, the right to live in his house if he dies first, a fund for the support of his daughters until they marry if he dies before this event

Sheva Berachot: Seven Blessings Praised are You. 0 Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Praised are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the universe, who created all things for Your glory. Praised are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the universe. Creator of Adam. Praised are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the universe, who created man and woman in his image, fashioning woman from man as his mate, that together they might perpetuate life. Praised are You, 0 Lord, Creator of man. May Zion rejoice as her children are restored to her in joy. Praised are You. 0 Lord, who causes Zion to rejoice at her children's return. Grant perfect joy to these loving companions, as You did to the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. Praised are You, 0 Lord, who grants the joy of bride and groom.

Praised are You, 0 Lord our God, King of the universe. who created joy and gladness, bride and groom, mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony, peace and companionship. 0 Lord our God, may there ever be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem voices of joy and gladness, voices of bride and groom, the jubilant voices of those joined in marriage under the bridal canopy, the voices of young people feasting and signing. Praised are You, 0 Lord, who causes the groom to rejoice with his bride

Remember the Holy Temple Groom smashes a glass under his right foot Recites the following: If I forget you, O Jerusalem may my right hand forget its skilfulness. May my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember you not, If I do not place Jerusalem above my chief joy

Yichud Escorted into a private room for the fist time as husband and wife The stop their fast and eat food that has been prepared for them This validates the marriage

Concluding blessing Thus days the Lord: In this place of which you say, It is a waste without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, There shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who sing as they bring thank- offerings to the house of the Lord For I shall restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord. Jer. 33:10-11