Jewish Marriage

Question 1

What does ‘Kiddushin’ mean?

Answer 1

Betrothal

Question 2

What is a ‘Ketubah’?

Answer 2

Marriage contract

Question 3

What does a Ketubah usually state? (Orthodox)

Answer 3

The grooms responsibility to the bride

Question 4

How many stages are there in a Jewish wedding? Name them.

Answer 4

2 - The Betrothal and Marriage Ceremony

Question 5

What does Ketubah state for Reform Jews? There are 2 answers needed.

Answer 5

Spiritual aspirations

Mutual hope for the marriage

Question 6

Who would usually set up an Orthodox Jewish wedding?

Answer 6

A Yenta - a matchmaker

Question 7

What is the definition of a marriage?

Answer 7

It is a legal union between 2 people as partners in a relationship

Question 8

What type of bond do Jews see marriage as?

Answer 8

Spiritual

Question 9

Where can a Jewish wedding take place?

Answer 9

Anywhere - as long as it is registered as a marriage venue

Question 10

What is a Chuppah and what does it symbolise?

Answer 10

The wedding canopy - it symbolises the couples new home and togetherness

Question 11

What do the wedding rings symbolise?

Answer 11

The marriage has no beginning or end

Question 12

Who leads the wedding ceremony?

Answer 12

The Rabbi or Cantor

Question 13

What does the wedding goblet symbolise?

Answer 13

The bride and groom sharing the goblet of wine shows they well share their lives together

Question 14

What do the guests say, to wish the bride and groom luck?

Answer 14

‘Mozel Tov’

Question 15

Give 2 reasons why the glass is broken by the groom.

Answer 15

To represent the tearing down of the Temple in 70AD by Emperor Vespasian
There will be hard times within the marriage

Question 16

When is the Ketubah drawn up?

Answer 16

During the Kiddushin (betrothal ceremony

Question 17

What happens to the couples souls once married?

Answer 17

Their souls fuse together

Question 18

What does marriage help to experience in everyday life?

Answer 18

Holiness

Question 19

What 2 things can break the marriage?

Answer 19

Divorce (‘Get’) or Death

Question 20

How many blessings does the Rabbi say over the couple?

Answer 20

7

Question 21

What days of the week can you marry?

Answer 21

Any day apart from the Shabbat
Not on any other festival
Sunday is the most popular day in the UK

Question 22

What does the Groom do on the Shabbat before his wedding?

Answer 22

Goes to the synagogue to announce his marriage (Aufruf); sweets can be thrown at him; a Kiddush (wine and refreshments) may be held

Question 23

Where does the bride go? For that reason?

Answer 23

The bride will visit a Mikva (ritual bath); to cleanse herself spiritually and enter marriage in a state of compete purity

Question 24

Why do the bride and groom fast on their wedding day?

Answer 24

To come into the marriage cleansed of sin and with a clean slate

Question 25

Why is ‘seven’ so significant in the wedding? Show where this is seen

Answer 25

7 blessings by the Rabbi
7 glasses of wine
Bride circles the groom 7 times
7 days of Creation - the bride and groom are symbolically creating their new home

Question 26

What does the groom say to the bride as he gives her the wedding ring?

Answer 26

‘Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel’

Question 27

Where is the brides ring places?

Answer 27

It is placed on the forefinger on her right hand

Question 28

What do the couple do immediately after the wedding ceremony?

Answer 28

Spend time alone together in a room before meeting their guests