What Goes On In Jewish Commitment Services

By Raymond Fisher


Whether one is actually a Jew or just interested in Jewish commitment services, this ceremony is one of the most beautiful wedding ceremonies a culture can have. While it does have some elements of a usual contemporary marriage, there are more symbolic practices that the couple will have to perform. Here are some practices that the couple will have to do while they participate in the ceremony.

One of the most crucial and interesting practices in the ritual would be the breaking of glass. This is a symbolic rite wherein the breaking of a glass signifies the destruction of the Temple and how the era has already ended. This shows that with the temple gone, there will now be a new commitment and communication to God.

A second rite that is done in this wedding ceremony is when the bride circles the groom. This is to symbolize that the bride and groom will now be joining each other in a more symbolic meaning. This is done with the bride walking around the groom seven times while they are both holding each others rings. Their eyes are connected the whole time until the act is done.

After that, the future spouses will then go into the first main rite of this service which is called the Eirusin. It is a rite that changes the official marital status of the bride and the groom. This is a symbolism that the bride will be giving herself over to the groom as per the halacha. The one who will host this main rite is the Rabbi and he will solidify the union through letting the bride and groom share a cup of wine.

The second main rite is known as the Kiddushin and is the actual marriage act. This is done first with the Kesef which is kind of like a dowry for the couple. The second act is the shtar and it is where the couple will sign the marriage documents signifying their actual union. Last is the biah which is the consummation of their marriage. This last part is now done through the exchanging of wedding rings.

After that, a document called the ketubah is read by the Rabbi in which the Rabbi will pass it over to the bride. This is the second to the last act where the Rabbi will unite the two in holy matrimony. It is very similar to how a priest or pastor will offer prayers and passages in a normal church wedding.

The final part of this service is the Nisuin or the public acknowledgement of this union. The last acknowledgement of this union is done by the recitation of sheva berachot. When this last document is recited, then publicly, this couple is now united in holy matrimony.

The Jewish rites of marriage is one of the most interesting ceremonies to participate in. Their cultural practices have dated as far as the origin of Judaism when a couple was to be married with God as a witness. For those who are part Jew or those who are interested in the ceremony, here are some of the traditional practices done in the ceremony.




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