Orthodox Jewish Marriage: Man And Woman Make Each Complete

Orthodox Jewish marriage is highly bounded by Judaism. Traditionally, Judaism defines an ideal marriage as a union of man and woman--wherein, a woman without a man or a man without a woman makes an individual incomplete.

The Betrothal: the First Step for Orthodox Jewish Marriage

Jewish law imposes betrothal or engagement between a man and a woman who swear promises to enter the married life anytime in the future. Part of the shiddukhin or betrothal is the formulation of the terms about how the marriage will take place. The sworn promises can be made by either the marrying parties or the respective parents and some relatives of the couple. However, at the end of it, the intended parties and the process of betrothal itself can not cause anything to affect the personal status of the man and the woman.

The Orthodox Jewish Marriage Per Se

There are two separate parts in orthodox Jewish marriage and these are named: the engagement ceremony or kiddushin and the actual wedding or nissu'in. During the engagement ceremony the personal status of the couple changed. On the other hand, the actual wedding ceremony carries out the legalities of the change in status.

During the Talmudic times, the two ceremonies were to take place after a year. The bride continues to live with her parents until the one year ends or the actual marriage happens. The engagement ceremony is done in a tent or room that has set up by the groom.

After some time, the ceremony was modified and changed into a combined ceremony instead wherein the combined ceremony has to be performed in public.

The Three Ways to Do the Engagement Ceremony

Since, everything about orthodox Jewish marriage is bounded by traditions so are the practices done during kiddushin or the engagement ceremony. The three ways in conducting the kiddushin are:

1. Kiddushin with the money or any object of value. The typical valuable objects are pieces of jewelry. The giving of valuable objects or money is for contracted marriage which is usually agreed on the presence of two witnesses. Here, the bride accepts what was laid on the table.

2. Kiddushin by the contract. Again, with the presence of two witnesses, the declaration of kiddushin is signed.

3. Kiddushin through coitus of the couple. This sexual intercourse should have an intention of creating bonds. However, this was discouraged by rabbis and was only made for levirate marriages.

Orthodox Jewish marriage is indeed confined by really striking traditions. Hence, orthodox Jewish marriage continues to be regarded as a kind of tradition that is well-consecrated.