Jewish Marriage Flashcards
What does ‘Kiddushin’ mean?
Betrothal
What is a ‘Ketubah’?
Marriage contract
What does a Ketubah usually state? (Orthodox)
The grooms responsibility to the bride
How many stages are there in a Jewish wedding? Name them.
2 - The Betrothal and Marriage Ceremony
What does Ketubah state for Reform Jews? There are 2 answers needed.
Spiritual aspirations
Mutual hope for the marriage
Who would usually set up an Orthodox Jewish wedding?
A Yenta - a matchmaker
What is the definition of a marriage?
It is a legal union between 2 people as partners in a relationship
What type of bond do Jews see marriage as?
Spiritual
Where can a Jewish wedding take place?
Anywhere - as long as it is registered as a marriage venue
What is a Chuppah and what does it symbolise?
The wedding canopy - it symbolises the couples new home and togetherness
What do the wedding rings symbolise?
The marriage has no beginning or end
Who leads the wedding ceremony?
The Rabbi or Cantor
What does the wedding goblet symbolise?
The bride and groom sharing the goblet of wine shows they well share their lives together
What do the guests say, to wish the bride and groom luck?
‘Mozel Tov’
Give 2 reasons why the glass is broken by the groom.
To represent the tearing down of the Temple in 70AD by Emperor Vespasian
There will be hard times within the marriage
When is the Ketubah drawn up?
During the Kiddushin (betrothal ceremony
What happens to the couples souls once married?
Their souls fuse together
What does marriage help to experience in everyday life?
Holiness
What 2 things can break the marriage?
Divorce (‘Get’) or Death
How many blessings does the Rabbi say over the couple?
7
What days of the week can you marry?
Any day apart from the Shabbat
Not on any other festival
Sunday is the most popular day in the UK
What does the Groom do on the Shabbat before his wedding?
Goes to the synagogue to announce his marriage (Aufruf); sweets can be thrown at him; a Kiddush (wine and refreshments) may be held
Where does the bride go? For that reason?
The bride will visit a Mikva (ritual bath); to cleanse herself spiritually and enter marriage in a state of compete purity
Why do the bride and groom fast on their wedding day?
To come into the marriage cleansed of sin and with a clean slate
Why is ‘seven’ so significant in the wedding? Show where this is seen
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
What does the groom say to the bride as he gives her the wedding ring?
‘Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel’
Where is the brides ring places?
It is placed on the forefinger on her right hand
What do the couple do immediately after the wedding ceremony?
Spend time alone together in a room before meeting their guests
