Jewish Marriage as a rite of passage

Components of Rites of passage Time Refers to the age of applicant. Is there a specific time when this occurs? Place Where? Eg Church, other sacred area, or other. Participants Who is involved? This includes divine power, ritual experts, the initiated and the community Charter The belief system. What do participants believe concerning this rite of passage, and how are sacred writings related to this rite? Set Form The inner logic or pattern of the rite of passage. Symbol system What are the symbols associated with this rite of passage. Hierarchical and Role Relations Where does the participant now fit in this new status? How do they now relate to others? Transformation From what to what? Eg. Child to adult.

Time In Old Testament times men were to marry from the age of eighteen and girls from the age of twelve.

Time Tenakh ages for marriage overridden by Australian civil law. A man and a women then, must be 18 years of age before they can legally consent to be married.

Time Marriage at a younger age (14 for females and 16 for males) is possible with the consent of the parents. Where a parent refuses to give consent, the person can seek permission from a judge or magistrate.

Time Jewish weddings can take place on any day except Shabbat and festivals because “we must not mix one joy with another” (Talmud, Moed Katan, 8b). Most Jewish weddings take place on a Sunday, usually in the afternoon.

Time Tuesday is considered a luck day to get married in Judaism as it is the only day, in the biblical story of Creation, for which God said “it was good”, not once but twice.

Time The bride will try to plan the wedding for a time of the month when she expects not to be menstruating, as sexual relations may not take place at this time.

Place May take place inside a synagogue or outside. It always takes place under a chuppah (a canopy)

Under the Chuppah Indoors in the synagogue or outdoors

Inside or

outside

The Chuppah may be simple

Often the Chuppah is elaborately decorated and supported by four poles covered in flowers.

Place Sometimes it is simply a prayer shawl held over the heads of the couple.

The participants kallah (bride) chassan (groom) Two official witnesses Friends and family rabbi (officiates) God is present

A rabbi usually officiates Though it can be any observant Jew sufficiently familiar with the requirements, because marriage, under Jewish law, Is essentially a private contractual agreement between a man and a woman.

A minyan is required to be present because of the communal emphasis of the seven blessings. Thus an Orthodox ceremony requires 10 adult males to be present Progressive requires 10 adults Why?

In Judaism marriage is The Charter the ideal human state. rated very highly. seen as the way to emotional and spiritual fulfilment. desirable for both man and woman.

Marriage is considered The Charter Marriage is considered To be the basic social institutional in Judaism. Judaism presents the woman as the home-builder.

The sanctification of the home The Charter The sanctification of the home is expressed in the woman’s special mitzvah, the mikveh, and all the food laws which the woman has to maintain. It is in these ties and obligations of marriage that God is to be sanctified.

The Charter Marriage can provide Physical fulfilment in the form of sexual expression. When Orthodox Judaism speaks of a sexual relationship it means marriage.

The Hebrew word for marriage The Charter The Hebrew word for marriage Kiddushin (sanctification) expresses its sanctity. marriage is not only a sacred relationship, but the sacred relationship.

The set form of Jewish Marriage Marriage as a rite of passage

A marriage ceremony is a rite of passage. A rite of passage is One or more rituals that transport individuals from one role, phase of life, or social status to another from the Pre-liminal (before) through the Liminal (during) to the Post-liminal

Pre-liminal stage Refers to the pre-ritual status of the individual who is in the old role, phase of life or social status, preparing for the new role, phase of life or social status.

In the pre-liminal stage Candidates are isolated from their given world or social group via a series of rituals of separation. Candidates are provided with a sponsor or guide to help them overcome the coming ordeals.

The liminal stage Refers to the ‘betwixt-and-between’ stage in which the individual is educated and transformed so as to learn those things necessary for their new status.

During the liminal stage The candidates are marked with one or more signs that link them to those who have already attained their new status.

Post-liminal stage is Characterised by absorption into the faith community as a member who has achieved a new, higher status

Candidates are Welcomed into their new state via a series of rituals of inclusion (dances, songs, prayers, greetings, communal meal, etc).

Rites of inclusion are Performed by ritual experts who have already reached the new, higher state and have the power to perform the rituals. Yes I’m sure it’s 7 times! You know I’m an expert!

Rites include word symbol gesture Handed down by the religious tradition. That’s 3 times 4 to go

Candidates undergo a Series of rituals of incorporation, whereby they return to the community, but have a new status.

The candidate’s new status Is marked by some kind of celebration.

The Set Form in Jewish Marriage

Set Form – pre-liminal When the families have met, and the young couple have decided to marry, the families usually announce the occasion with a small reception, known as a vort (engagement). Some families sign a contract, that delineates the obligations of each side regarding the wedding and a final date for the wedding.

The couple are required Set Form – pre-liminal The couple are required to meet the Rabbi a number of times before they marry, so he can offer advice about the meaning of marriage.

There is also a meeting Set Form – pre-liminal between the bride and the rabbi’s wife who will explain what is expected of each partner in a marriage.

Two weeks before the Orthodox wedding Set Form – pre-liminal Two weeks before the Orthodox wedding the groom must obtain a Ketubah.

One weeks before the Orthodox wedding Set Form – pre-liminal One weeks before the Orthodox wedding the bride and groom stop seeing each other, in order to enhance the joy of their wedding through their separation. From a few days prior, until a week after the wedding, the couple are considered royalty and are, therefore, not to be seen in public without a personal escort.

A few days prior to the wedding Set Form – pre-liminal A few days prior to the wedding the bride will visit the mikveh to immerse herself as required by the Torah.

On the Shabbat before the wedding Set Form – pre-liminal On the Shabbat before the wedding The groom is called to the reading of the Torah. People throw nuts and raisins or sweets on him as a symbol of a sweet life.

On the same Shabbat Set Form – pre-liminal the Kallah's family and friends arrange a party for her, expressing their same wishes for her.