JEWISH CEREMONY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 13

JEWISH CEREMONY

CRUSHING WINEGLASS

A picturesque ceremony, with its i origin rooted away back through the ages, is.a Jewish wedding, such as was solemnised by Rabbi Goldstein in the Auckland Synagogue, between Miss Lily Lephert and Mr. Emanuel Robinson, both of Auckland. Apart from the bridal dress of, the bride, the attendant bridesmaid, best man,_ and train-beaifers, there was little similarity between tho service and one of a type with which the greater, part of the community is familiar (states tho "New Zealand Herald"); ■■ V- ■ Prior to the service four boys .in white, gloves entered the synagogue and erected a chuppah or canopy, each standing at a corner and supporting it by grasping a- brass pole. The bridegroom, in evening dress: and .wearing a silk hat, entered and stood beneath the canopy, a tallith, or praying shawl, draped about his shoulders. Then came the' bride and took her place beside the groom, the white bridal dress' contrasted with the yellow frocks of two diminutive train-bearers, making a most attractive tableau. The parents of the bride and bridegroom-followed and ranged themselves beside the canopy. ~■:.:. Pacing the betrothed couple stood the rabbi, who, after reciting in Hebrew, proffered each in turn a silver wine cup. Then, taking the ring, the bridegroom placed it Upon the-foreflnl--ger of the.bride's,,right.hand,- reciting in Hebrew at ;tbe direction of the rabbi. 'The- marriage contract, or Kethuba, was then read by the rabbi, the; contract being very . ancient in form and drawnup "according to the law of Moses and of. Israel.?' 1 Following the reading of the, contract the rabbi chanted :the "seven benedictions/ then filled a wineglass with wine. The bridegroom, bride* and their respective parents sipped from the glass in turn, after which the receptacle was placed onTthe floor, beneath "the canopy. With A swift''movement the bridegroom crushed the glass beneath bis heel, to the.^sr'y1 of "Maaal toy," meaning "good luck," en;the part of relative's andfrienasiir.the congregation. The rabbi pronounced' .the', benediction and the service wrt finished, J;

The quaint ceremony of breaking the wineglass is. one full of vital moaning, for it is said to.'be' performed in memory of Zion. The wedding customs of the Jewish communities vary somewhat in detail, aceoriding to geographical and other factors,, but many are reminiscent of the: historic days of Palestine. ■: Some :have their, origin in the middle -ages. It,'.is-'customary for a wedding breakfast to follow a Jewish marriage ceremony, as is tho case with marriages solemnised by the Christian Church. " •'"'