A Little More on Jewish Weddings
This is an email I got from a friend in Birmingham. He did a lot of studying on Jewish weddings in preparation for his own (he and his wife got married last year after Sukkot) so I asked him for some help with the study I was doing. Unfortunately I got in touch with him too late for him to help with the study we did on the 11th, but I do want to share what he offered because he has some good stuff in here.
Just what comes to my head on short notice… I’m sorry, I am in a hurry at the moment.
First, you know the Jewish wedding is actually two ceremonies. kiddushin, or betrothal, and nisu’in, the actual marriage. in ancient times, these ceremonies sometimes took place a year apart, but now they are generally merged. [His wife] and I, obviously, had ours a year apart. I did it this way because I felt it more scripturally fulfilling.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also.” - John 14:3
The purpose of the year apart (at least symbolically) is for me to prepare a home for her and for her to learn the ways of a good servant… er… wife.
The betrothal is as follows:“You are bought with a price.” -1 Cor 6:20; 1 Cor 7:23
the bride price and attaining of the bride“but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” -Mat 9:15
traditionally, the bride and groom fast the day before the wedding.“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” -John 15:16
in the ceremony, the groom is physically to approach and escort the bride to the chuppah, symbolic of his covering of her, or their house together.
also note that the husband unveils the bride in the ceremony.“Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel;for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.” [Genesis 24:64-65]“Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” -2 Cor 3:16
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” -Rev 19:7-8
“And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white
as the light.” -Mat 17:2
in the jewish ceremony not only the bride, but also the groom wears white.lastly, the blood of the covenant. in Genesis 12, God and Abraham seal a covenant. notice the seven blessings God gives to Abraham, but also notice that blood is spilled to commemorate that covenant. When Jesus lifted his wine (symbolic of blood) he said this is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. There is a wine ceremony in the wedding, but i think more importantly there is a wedding night that is seen as a spilling of blood (though I know it is not always) this I think is the sealing of the covenant
Bye
So some good stuff there. Share your thoughts below.
Tags: betrothal, bride, bridegroom, covenant, marriage, wedding