A JEWISH BETROTHAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4271, 22 July 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

A JEWISH BETROTHAL.

AND A IiIiEACII Of PkOMISE SrIT FOR ITS VIOLATION - . A mthasisk suit for breach of promise has recently been trieil in ISaltiiuorc, the details of which reve.il a curious custom existing among the Polish Jews. The suit was brought by a Hebrew maiden, named Yetta Mausinervitz, against Isaac Mayloss, also a Hebrew, 10,000'dol. damages being laid by the plaintiff. The alleged engagement was by means of a symbolical betrothal, each taking hold of the ends of a handkerchief, ami jiulling it, the signification being that the parties are held or bound to each other, and sometimes, though not always, the words " We are bound," or a similar phrase, are pronounced. A number of witnesses testified that such a custom of betrothal existed among orthodox Polish Jews, though not among (ierman Jews. It was proved that this ceremony was performed between plaintiff and defendant, and that the defendant went to the house where ahe lived, taking with him his sister, and, after an hour's conversation with each other, they went through the form of handkerchiefpulling in the presence of several persons. The yonng woman did not testify, the Maryland statute excluding the parties as witnesses in the case. They were both present, however, and appeared to be greatly concerned about the testimony. The judge instructed the jury that if such a custom of betrothal existed among the Polish Jews, and if that custom had been observed by both parties, the contract of marriage need not be proved by express words, but may be shown by acts, by frequent visits, and attentions intended by the parties for an engagement. The jury were somewhat puzzled, but they finally disposed of the case l>y finding n, verdict of one cent, damages for the aggrieved lass.