1. HSC RELIGIOUS TRADITION DEPTH STUDY: JUDAISM MARRIAGE

11. Jewish Marriage as a rite of passage In Judaism marriage is seen as the ideal human state. Marriage is rated very highly, it is seen as the way to emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Marriage is the basic social institution in Judaism. Marriage provides physical fulfillment in the form of sexual expression. Marriage is seen as a personal relationship. Marriage is a holy covenant- bound by contract. The charter The rite of marriage is a public ceremony- the couple are required to make their vows in public. Also present are 2 witnesses, families and friends and a rabbi usually officiates, though it can be any observant Jew – marriage under Jewish law is a contractual agreement between a man and a woman. A minyan is required to be present for the blessing. The participants The wedding ceremony may takes place in the synagogue or outside. It always takes place under a chuppah or canopy. The place The couple are required to be over the age of 18 years. Jewish weddings can take place on any day except the Shabbat and festivals. Most Jewish weddings take place on a Sunday, usually in the afternoon. The time

12. The bride visits the mikveh- immersion pool (Orthodox) On the shabbat before the wedding, the groom is called to read the Torah. The couple may fast before the ceremony (Orthodox) Lifting of the veil. Wedding takes place under the Chuppah. Bride is escorted by either her parents or both mothers Escorts carry candles Bride circles groom seven times Initial blessing are recited – over wine as both partners drink from a cup The giving of the ring – where life long commitment is implied by the words spoken Marriage contract – ketubah Marriage closes with blessings recited over a cup of wine. Recitation of the seven blessings. The breaking of a wine glass Yichud and fast is broken. The set form

13. Chuppah Two escorts Nuts, raisins, sweets, fasting before the ceremony Initial blessings over the wine Giving of the ring and recitation of marriage vows The ketubah Handkerchief The reciting of the seven blessings Breaking of the wine glass Retirement to a yichud Final blessings over wine Lighted candles The symbol system

14. Prior to marriage this couple were single and from 2 separate families. Marriage unites these two people together in love, forming a new family unit in which husband and wife are responsible for one another and for their children. Together the couple are now responsible for continuing the Jewish Nation by starting a family, keeping the mitzvah and bringing up children in the Jewish tradition. The transformation Once married, the wife has responsibility for the home in order to free her husband to study the Torah. The wife is required to keep a kosher home and to bring up and teach the children. Her responsibility is to ensure that all that goes on in the home is expressive of Judaism. The role of the husband is to provide for and protect the family. Both roles are seen as equally important, and marriage is viewed as an equal partnership. The hierarchical and role relations