What is a Jewish Marriage?
The ceremony begins with the groom being led in by the two fathers and the bride being led in by the two mothers. The groom prays that all his friends may find their soulmates, while the bride encircles the groom seven times. Then the betrothal ceremony begins with two blessings take place over the wine. Then the couple taste the wine. Then the groom presents the bride with a ring and places it on her index finger after vowing to take her as his wife. During the Jewish Wedding ceremony, recital of the Sheva Brachot takes place under the Chuppah for the bride and groom.At the end of the ceremony a glass is broken to the cheers of ‘mazal tov’. Yarmulkes are thrown up in the air and everyone rejoices. Meals and dances then commence, while the bride and groom are left alone for a little time.
A Jewish Marriage is one that has Kiddushin. This means that the husband and wife are sanctified to each other, and have an exclusive relationship. The Sanctification is under the Laws of Moses; thus, Kiddushin is only present (traditionally) if both parties are Jewish (and thus, only a marriage between two Jews would require a Jewish divorce). The Kiddushin relationship has legal ramifications. The marriage ceremony is one of acquisition. It is based on the rules for transfer of property in biblical times. In marriage, the woman accepts a ring (or something of value) from the man, accepting the terms of the marriage. A marriage contract (ketubah) is read publically. Witnesses are required for both the signing of the ketubah and the ceremony. Note: According to the Mishnah, a Jewish marriage is a legal contract and may be contracted in any of three ways: (1) with money (as when a man hands a woman an object of value for the purpose of contracted marriage, and in the presence of two wit
