Jewish Marriage Essay

Words: 1865
Pages: 8

Judaism is a monotheistic religion deriving from the covenant (Genesis 12: 1-2) made between G-d and Abraham based on the Promised Land for the Israelites. Rituals play a fundamental role throughout all religions. Consequentially the ritual of marriage is considered an obligation in Judaism – as it completes the individual holistically. A traditional Jewish marriage involves a historical, biblical, cultural and an intricate legal transaction binding the bridegroom (Chatan) and bride (Kallah) into a mutually binding commitment. Marriage is a symbol of the relationship between G-d and His people but also designed fro procreation and comfort. (Genesis 1:28, 2:18) In order to understand the significance of the practices and rituals of this religion it is necessary to be discoursed in further detail. The many aspects of a Jewish wedding include the concept of fasting, Kabbalat Panim, Badeken, Chuppah service, the Holy Ketubah, Kiddushin, Sheva B’rachot, breaking of …show more content…
This ritual is significant to the community of believers as it teaches the notion of patience and to complete the two wedding documents which is the Tenai’m (engagement contract) and the Ketubah (wedding contract). At the end of the welcoming ceremony the joyous crowd shout “Mazal Tov” (http://www.chabad.org/thejewishwoman/article_cdo/aid/1541/jewish/Kabbalat Panim.htm) in response to the newly created commitment.

A tradition created for the matter of the Chatan and the Kallah is the Breaking of the plate. This is a small ritual conducted to imply the seriousness of the commitment from both families and the couple symbolising just as a plate breaks it can never be fully repaired so too is a broken relationship.

Figure 3. Breaking of the