Judaism+Depth+Study


 * media type="custom" key="7895273"shu Hassidim**

__Two Maxims:__
 * 1) **The whole world is full of God's Glory**


 * 1) **God Desires the Heart**
 * 2) **mein kampf is the worlds best selling auto biography**

Two Philosophies:
 * 1) **'Devekut'** - Attachment to God (unbroken communion between world of God and world of humanity)


 * 1) **Religious Pantheism** - Omnipresence of God (God everywhere, all the time)

__Other Notes on Hassidim__
 * Context of Time period - Lots of illiterate, poor peasant Jews were turning away from God, they felt they couldn't be saved because they couldn't read the Torah.


 * Hassidim insisted that studying the Torah shouldn't be based on intellect, but on religious devotion


 * Aimed to change, not the belief - but the believer
 * Main opposition was the //Mitnagdim//


 * Four Main principles:**
 * 1) Emotion must be guided by intellect
 * 2) God's immanence and joy
 * 3) All men are equal before God
 * 4) Love of all components of creation

__Contribution of Hassidim to Judaism__


 * Ancient Ideas were given new life
 * Joyfulness in everyday life
 * Prayer more important than Torah study
 * Relationship with God more important than Law

**__Notes on Jewish Marriage__**

__Overview on Jewish Marriage__

//24For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."//
 * A Jewish marriage is a legal ceremony, where a **Ketubah** (legal marriage contract), is given to the wife from the husband
 * Key Bible quote: Genesis 2:22-24; - //"// //22The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.// //23The man said,"This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."//
 * Another Significant Bible quote which Relates is Genesis 1:28 - //"Be Fruitful and Multiply"//

__Key Components in Jewish Marriage__ · A husband must consult with his wife. The Talmud says that if your wife is short, bend down and whisper to her · Respect family privacy, the Talmud states: “Do not enter a house suddenly” · “No one should be expected to share a house with a serpent” – Talmud · Marriage is important to fulfill oneself as a person, not just for procreation · Marriage therefore, is a sacred consecration – it creates a household of love and peace; worthy of God’s presence · Talmud mentions three ways to get a wife; that is: through money (kesef), contract (shtar) and knowledge (biah). However, the husband is required to treat the wife with love and respect
 * In the **Ketubah**, it says a man will clothe, feed and care for the woman. It also says how much a husband will give a woman in the case of divorce
 * Marriage is meant to bring the holy spirit within the house
 * Men and women are married under the **Chuppah** (four poles and a cloth canopy), which represents the first house they would build together
 * In the Talmud it states that a man should love his wife and himself and respect her more than himself
 * Women were made from the rib of man, therefore, she is on his side forever during marriage
 * It is desirable to have children during marriage (at least 2), because when you die you should not leave the world any poorer
 * Judaism is against intermarriage as no non-Jewish partner can help a child fulfill himself as a Jew
 * In the Talmud: “The Holy spirit can rest only upon a married man for an unmarried man is only half a man and the Holy Spirit does not rest on what is imperfect”
 * In the Torah: “It is not good for a man to be alone, because two are better than one”
 * The husband has the responsibility to teach the child the Torah and survival skills (i.e. swimming)
 * “Respect your in-laws” is one of the highest ideals
 * On the day of the wedding, the couple fast and repent to be forgiven of there sins, starting a clean slate
 * Haven’t been in direct contact a week prior to the marriage
 * Shalom bayit –** Peace in the house
 * Marriage ceremony –** Comprises of two major ceremonies; erusin (also known as kiddushin) and nissuin
 * The first ceremony (erusin/kiddushin), is a betrothal ceremony. This is when the bridegroom gives something in value to the bride with witnesses, then recites the marriage formula: “You are hereby consecrated to me according to the Law of Moses and the faith of Israel” (This is the act of kiddushin) . This is followed by the blessing of the wine and thanking God for the act of marriage
 * The Nissuin ceremony takes place under the chuppah, it’s a symbol of the home that the couple will make together. 7 blessings are recited
 * Following the ceremony, there is a week-long celebration
 * Mirrors the relationship or Adam, Eve and God.
 * Significance of symbols and religious aspects in Jewish marriage –**

Ø Groom accepts the Ketubah in front of witnesses, by taking hold of a handkerchief and giving it to the Rabbi, thus making it binding. (Known as the ***Kinyan*** ) Ø It says that a man will clothe, feed and care for the wife Ø Specifies the amount due in case of divorce and is read at ceremony (First written 2500 years ago when women had no rights and were sacrificed, it’s a very progressive document. · **Seven blessings -** 1. Wine, 2,3. praise of God who created nature and mankind; 4,5,6 – for the bridal couple, 7 – for community and Israel
 * Aufruf** – The Sabbath before the wedding, the groom called to read the Torah in the synagogue. In reform synagogues, both are called to the Torah. The community plays a part by throwing candy at the groom
 * Chuppah –** where the couple and rabbi stand during the marriage ceremony, symbolizes the first home the couple will share. Into which the Chassan now brings his Kallah. It is seen with so much significant, that in Orthodox, a cypress tree is planted at boys birth and cedar tree planted at girls birth and years later, the tree is cut and the branches used to make the Chuppah. (Tradition dates back 2500 years)
 * Escorts –** The Chassan and Kallah are escorted to the Chuppah by two escorts, because the Talmud says Adam and Eve were escorted to their wedding by angels
 * Nuts Raisins and sweets –** Thrown on the groom the Shabbat before the wedding as a symbol of a sweet life
 * Initial Blessings over wine –** symbolize the joy that the couples share
 * The Ketubah –** Written marriage settlement stating the practical commitment of the husband to provide for the wife in the event of divorce
 * Wine and Kiddush Cup –** “wine gladdens the heart”, Kiddush is the act of sanctifying through the blessing over the kosher wine/grape juice. Kiddush is recited twice in a wedding, once at the betrothal and once more during the 7 blessings.
 * The recitation of seven blessings –** Praise God for the creation of all things and link the couple to the story of creation and history of Israel
 * Yichud – A private room where the chosson and kallah break their first meal together -** Signifies couple’s new status as husband and wife.
 * Sheva Barchot** (Final Blessing over wine) **–** Drinking from the second cup, symbolizes sharing of everything in life together. Recited at ceremony and for seven days following the ceremony.
 * Lit Candles** – Symbolize Joy and hope
 * Circling the groom** – seven times, denoting Protection for the Seven days of creation, not necessarily done at reform weddings
 * Rings –** lifelong commitment implied, but not promised. Placed on right index finger. As the ring is place on the brides finger, the groom recites: “You are hereby consecrated to me according to the Law of Moses and the faith of Israel”.
 * Breaking the glass –** Tradition at the end of every Jewish wedding ceremony. Reminder of the sadness of destruction of temple by Romans (70CE). It serves as a reminder that marriage is a combination of both happy and sad times, as well as the fragility of life. At the breaking of the glass, everyone assembled shout “Mazel Tov” – Good luck!
 * Fasting –** the couple fast for purity, forgiveness. An opportunity for Atonement.
 * Mikveh –** Ritual bath taken by wife

· The marriage process and associated behaviour is an expression of Judaism · Allows procreation and companionship · Chosson and Kallah fast and repent so there sins are forgiven and they start out their new life together with a clean slate · Chosson wears a long white Kittel – which reminds the Chosson of the cycle of life and prompts the Chosson to repent · The Ketubah lists responsibilities of the husband to his wife throughout the marriage and in certain situations – reading and accepting it through the marriage is a lifelong commitment of the man to his wife · Without a Ketubah, a man is forbidden to live with his wife · Ketubah protects a women in the unfortunate circumstances of divorce · The Ketubah is the spiritual connection both parties have with the traditions and beliefs of Judaism · Each part of the ceremony affirms an understanding that God has control over the couple e.g. Sheva Barchot · The ring reminds Jews of the contract between God and Abraham · The Chuppah shows the importance of the marital home · The Sheva Barchot blessings reminds both the couple and congregation of the blessings of God for the couple and community · It reminds them of God, who created them and brought them together · Marriage has always been a time for rejoice in the Jewish community · The community actively take part in the ceremony · The community are touched and affected, seeing the marriage take place · Pleased at efforts taken to reduce divorce/martial problems (i.e. steps before the ceremony), and therefore, less occurance of: Agunah, Mamzerut. · Moved by the core ideals of marriage · During times of persecution and upheaval the excitement of a wedding gave ppl an opportunity to 4get about their problems; each marriage offered new hope for survival · Parents and the community can take satisfaction in the knowledge that another Jewish home was created · The creation and maintenance of the family is an important aspect of continuing the Jewish religion from generation to generation · A lot of value and significance is placed on marriage · The community as a whole benefits from the coming together of the couple · Judaism gains spiritual expression of the love of people for each other
 * Significance of Marriage on the -**
 * a) Individual**
 * b) Community**
 * Chronological events in a Jewish marriage**
 * “**In traditional Jewish literature marriage is actually called //kiddushin//, which translates as "sanctification" or "dedication." "Sanctification," indicates that what is happening is not just a social arrangement or contractual agreement, but a spiritual bonding and the fulfillment of a //mitzvah,// a Divine precept. "Dedication," indicates that the couple now have an exclusive relationship, that involves total dedication of the bride and groom to each other, to the extent of them becoming, as the Kabbalists state, "one soul in two bodies.**”** -- Rabbi Mordechai Becher

On the Shabbat before the wedding the groom recites blessings and a section of the Torah at synagogue a week before; followed by a celebration of supper together. Nuts, raisins and sweets are then thrown on the groom as a symbol of a sweet life.
 * Aufruf –**

It is customary for the Chosson and Kallah not to see each other for one week preceding the wedding. This is called “ Kabbolas Panim ”. It is a custom for the couple to be treated like royalty. A tradition is for the mother of the bride and groom to stand together and break a plate, symbolizing serious commitment – just as the breaking of a plate can never be reverse, the new relationship shouldn’t be. The Ketubah is written, while the Chosson and Kallah are treated like royalty.
 * Kabbolas Panim **

One of the happiest and holiest days of one’s life. Considered as personal Yom Kippur for the Chosson and Kallah. All past mistakes and sins are forgiven as they merge together to become one soul. As on Yom Kippur, both the Chosson and Kallah fast on there wedding day – but only until the completion of the marriage ceremony.
 * The Wedding Day**

This is the veiling of the Kallah by the Chosson. The veil symbolizes the idea of modesty and conveys the lesson that however attractive physical appearances may be, the inner soul and character are paramount. This is an ancient custom and signals the groom’s commitment to clothe and protect his wife. It is reminiscent of Rebecca covering her face before marrying Isaac (Genesis ch. 29). We find that even the Matriarchs wore veils at their weddings, as we see in Genesis 24:65
 * Bedeken **

Where the ceremony takes place, a symbol of the home to be built and shared by the couple. The Chosson and Kallah wear no jewelry under the Chuppah. This symbolizes that their mutual commitment is based on who they are as people, not on any material possessions. The Chosson, followed by the Kallah, are usually escorted to the Chuppah. This symbolizes what is written in the Midrash, how the angels escorted Adam and Eve to their wedding. Under the Chuppah, the Kallah circles the Chosson seven times, then the Kallah settles at the Chosson’s right-hand side. The escorts hold a candle since Jewish custom associates light with joy: "The Jews had light, gladness, joy and honor" (Esther 8:16). The Kallah circles the Chosson 7 times. Two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessing, and after these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup. Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, is associated with the Kiddush, the sanctification prayer recited on Shabbat and festivals. Marriage, which is called Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man and woman to each other. Generally speaking, it is the second part of Chuppah ceremony with the blessings.
 * Chuppah**
 * Blessings of Betrothal (Kiddushin)**

In Jewish law, a marriage becomes official when the Chosson gives an object of value to the Kallah. This is traditionally done with a ring. The Chosson now takes the wedding ring in his hand, and in clear view of two witnesses, he declares to his wife, “You are hereby consecrated to me according to the Law of Moses and the faith of Israel.” The couple is now fully married at this point.
 * Giving of the Ring**


 * TAKE NOTE OF THIS** .. In Orthodox Judaism the rings are not exchanged, **ONLY** the chosson (groom) gives a ring to the kallah (bride) - **Orthodox Judaism is not as modernised.**

Now comes the reading of the Ketubah in the original Aramaic text. In a Jewish marriage, the Chosson accepts upon himself various responsibilities which are detailed in the Ketubah. His principal obligations are to provide food, shelter and clothing for his wife, and to be attentive to her emotional needs.
 * Ketubah (Marriage Contract)**

The seven blessings (also known as Sheva Brachot), are recited over a second cup of wine. The theme is to link the Chosson and Kallah to God. They are recited by a Rabbi.
 * The Seven Blessings**

A glass is now placed on the floor, and the Chosson shatters it with his foot. This serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (see above in this document for further information on this.) This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of “Mazel Tov,” (meaning Good Luck!)
 * Breaking the Glass**

The couple are escorted to a private room and left alone for a few minutes. These moments of seclusion signify their new status of living together as husband and wife. Since the couple has been fasting since the morning, at this point they break their fast.
 * Yichud**

It is a mitzvah for guests to bring simchah (joy) to the Chosson and the kallah on their wedding day. There is much music and dancing as the guests celebrate with the new couple. After the meal, Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals) is recited, and the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessing) are repeated. During the week following the wedding, it is customary for friends and relatives to host festive meals in honor of the Chosson and Kallah. This is called the week of Sheva Brachot, because of the blessings said at the conclusion of each of these festive meals. --- Adapted from: []
 * The Festive Meal (Seudah)**

[|Bible Answers]