MARRIGE AT A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4667, 28 October 1876, Page 3

MARRIGE AT A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

The following report of the marriage of Miss Leonora Simonsen, daughter of Mr. M. and Madame Simonsen, to Mr. D. Davis, son of Mr. ijyam Davis, a Christchurch merchant, is abridged from the Lyttelton Times: —The scene was of an imposing character. Six large wax candles were burning in silver candlesticks on each side of the ark and on the reading desk ; the Kabbi wore a Talish or prayer scarf, of white silk, with appro priate fringes, and the rich dresses ot the bride and the ladies who accompanied her were in gay contrast with the black garments worn by the gentlemen who were present at the ceremony. The ceremony which took place yesterday was full choral. The Kabbi, the Rev. Isaac Z.ichariah, was the officiating minister, assisted by a large choir, with Mr. J. C Thomson presiding at one of Hamlin's American organs. The appointed hour—2 p.m.—having arrived, the afternoon service was read, and the bride and bridegroom having been exhorted carefully to examine their life daring the earlier part of the day, a portion of the service for the da 3 of Atonement—the " Confession of sin," —was read. A canopy of blue silk, lined with, white satin, fringed with silver, and supported by four long poles, was then placed iu front of the Ark containing the scrolls of the law. The bridegroom, accompanied by hia father and the father of the bride, and the bride accompanied by her own and the bridegrooms mother, were then conducted beneath the canopy. The face of the bride was covered with a veil, in token of female modesty, even as Rebekah (Gen. xxiv, 65) J " took a veil and covered herself when she saw Isaac." The bride and bridegroom being placed opposite the officiating minister, a hyinu of praise to Jehovah was chanted, aud a prayer offered up. At the conclusion of the prayer, the Rabbi took a silver cup full of wine in his hand, and offered a fervent " Wessing" to Him, who, " by tneaus of idis commaudments, inculcating chastity, has sanctified Israel." The bridegroom aud bride then both partook of the wine. The Kabbi then handed the wedding ring to the bridegroom, who, before placing it on the tiuger of the bride, said, in the presence of those who stood around the canopy, two of whom had been especially set apart for the purpose, "Behold, thou art wedded to me with this ring, according to the la wof Moses and Israel." The Kabbi then offered up a prayer in Kng lisb. The marriage contract was next read i it speeilied that the bridegroom took the bride as his lawful wife, and tbat he promised to maintain, honour, and cherish her, and to perform all those obligations towards her that religion imposed upon him. This instrument (called Ketubah) is of a very ancient origin. Allusion is made to it iu the Book of Tobit, vii. 14; " and Raguel called Edna his wife, and took paper and did write an instrument of covenants, and sealed it" The Rabbi next pronounced the "Seven Blessings." A glass of wine was then presented to the newly married pair, of which they both drank. The glass was then laid on the floor in front of the bridegroom, who crushed it with his foot. Various reasons have been assigned for this custom, the most probable one is that in our happiest moments, amidst our most perfect delights, we should be reminded of the vanity of all earthly things. The broken glaaa is also intended to show that He who holds the issues of life and death, can at any time crush man as easily as the brittle glass has been destroyed, and that, therefore, man's thoughts should not be directed to earthly things aloue, but should also be devoutly bent on a future state. The singing of a " Hallelujah" concluded the ceremony, and the usual congratulations were offered to the newly married pair. I As the bride and bridegroom left the Synagogue the fine band of the Opera, which was stationed outside, played Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." A large crowd: had assembled outside the Synagogue, proving the interest taken in the event. The usual marriage feast was then held, the " Seven Blessings" being repeated when the grace after meat had been said, in order to impress the stamp of religions solemnity even upon a merry wedding meal.