Marriage

Of the many joys of Jewish life, few moments match the wholehearted happiness and emotional power of celebrating the marriage of two loving partners under the huppah (the wedding canopy). Participating in marriage means living out some of our most treasured values–love, family, community, spiritual growth, commitment, and holiness. Judaism challenges each newly wedded couple to embrace the same promise and optimism of Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden)–that a marriage partnership can serve as catalyst and inspiration for true harmony among all of God’s creatures. Those gathered to witness the building of this “new house in Israel” are likewise charged with supporting the emotional, spiritual, and religious well-being of both partners during this time of transition as the foundation stones of this new family are put into place.

The marriage ceremony, officiated by a messad(er/et) kiddushin (one who orders the ritual service of marriage), usually a rabbi, combines two longstanding rituals (which, in former times, were separated by a year or more)–erusin and nissuin. Erusin (or betrothal, the ceremony that binds the new couple exclusively to each other), similar to modern engagement, is marked by blessings and the gift of rings, while nissuin (the formal marriage agreement), seals this sacred bond with seven blessings recited over a cup of wine. Before or during the ceremony, two or more witnesses sign a ketubah (an ancient legal formulation or marriage contract, originally created by the ancient rabbis to protect the financial security of women). Many couples choose to purchase a ketubah text illuminated with professional artwork or personalized symbols that is later framed and displayed in their home. The marriage ceremony ends with the breaking of a glass–most traditionally understood as a gesture of mourning for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This ritual also serves as a reminder to this new couple of their responsibility to fuse together the broken shards of our world through the mitzvah of tikun olam (repairing the world). During the week that follows the ceremony, many couples choose to continue celebrating their marriage with festive meals called sheva brakhot, in the homes of family and friends. The invitation of panim hadashot, or new faces, guests who did not attend the wedding ceremony, allows for the repetition of the seven blessings recited under the huppah during birkhat hamazon, the blessings after the meal.

Couples often decide to mark the celebration of their upcoming marriage with an aliyah to the Torah on a preceding Shabbat and to receive a special blessing from a rabbi. Called an aufruf (from the Yiddish word meaning to go up–the couple goes up to the bimah and recites blessings before and after a portion of the Torah reading), this ritual allows the couple to share the joy of their future marriage with the larger community. It is customary, though not required, for the couple or their families to sponsor the community kiddush held after services by contributing to or covering the cost of food. We encourage both women and men to visit the mikvah, or ritual bath, close to the date of the wedding; immersing in the mikvah is a ritual of purification and rebirth in advance of one the most sacred days of their lives. BJ members who would like to have an aufruf on a Shabbat morning before their wedding should contact the lifecycle coordinator.

BJ recognizes the great importance of marriage in building and supporting communities through acts of hesed, or lovingkindness. Historically, wedding parties were arranged not just to celebrate the couple, but to give back to and provide for the community. All were welcome to attend–and the poor were served first. Many couples are fortunate to have received generous gifts in honor of their marriage, and we encourage giving a portion of those gifts to tzedakah (charity) and most especially to the cause of feeding the neediest among us. Learn more about providing for the needy at the time of your simha.

BJ’s rabbis and hazzan are honored to officiate at the weddings of both heterosexual and same-sex BJ member couples. We look forward to making the day special and holy for all involved. There are a few essential requirements for being married by a BJ rabbi:

• The couple must have joined the BJ community and be members in good standing.
• At least one partner is Jewish, and there is a commitment to having a Jewish home.
• A get (a ritual divorce) is required if there has been a previous Jewish marriage for either partner.
• Civil marriage is required.
• Either a traditional ketubah text that includes the Lieberman clause (often referred to as a “Conservative” ketubah) or the Egalitarian text written by Rabbi Gordon Tucker must be obtained for use in the ceremony.

It is very important that you contact Billie Di Stefano early on in your planning schedule and before making any final decisions about a date and a venue, to ensure that one of our rabbis is available.

Several months in advance of the ceremony, couples will have a series of meetings with the rabbi who will officiate at the ceremony. During these sessions, the rabbi will offer spiritual counseling in preparation for this very sacred occasion and guidance about building a strong marriage and a Jewish home. The meetings also allow the officiating rabbi and the couple to get to know one another before they stand together under the huppah as well as being opportunities to discuss some decisions about the wedding ceremony itself.

BJ is pleased to offer its beautiful Sanctuary and social hall for weddings, depending on availability. Please review our facility rental options. Contact Jonathan Muniz for more information.

• New Jewish Wedding, by Anita Diamant
  
• A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice, by Isaac Klein
  
• Beyond Breaking the Glass, by Nancy Wiener