The marriage proposals in the Jewish community are rich in history. Alongside the actual wedding and other related things, the Jewish couples consider some of their traditions and symbolism when they’re ready to consider marriage. Whether it’s Orthodox or Reform, it’s likely always to see a series of traditions involved in the steps of marriage.

Nowadays, many Jewish men and women meet on the internet using online dating services. These platforms help them find like-minded partners around them for meaningful relationships. Also, they can use a reliable hookup site to have flirted and arrange hookups with local members living nearby. Matchmaking could never get easier!

Here we’re going to talk about the romantic marriage and proposal traditions you can see among men and women in the Jewish community who have either started the relationship online or in other ways.

The Marriage Contract

The first item, called marriage contracts, is similar to what we know as the proposal in western culture, but with slight differences. In the past, men would draw up a marriage contract for the woman they were interested in for marriage. This contract consisted of things he could offer his future wife to let the woman know more about the man.

In the end, the man would offer her a glass of wine. If the lady’s response to his proposal was yes, she accepted it. She didn’t necessarily have to drink it. Only taking the drink was enough to inform him of his positive response.

It’s now also known as Ketubah. It comes with the groom’s responsibilities also the protection and rights of the bride. Also, it outlines the framework the couple would need to follow if they ever decide to divorce. As this is mainly a part of the Jewish law, there’s no mention of God. Aside from the man and woman, two witnesses also sign the Ketubah.

Bedeken

Bedeken happens during Ketubah. This tradition also has historical roots. In Bible, Jacob loves a woman but gets tricked into marrying her sister instead because the woman was veiled. The man approaches the woman and veils her face, signifying that her inner beauty is what he finds his love in. So the Bedeken makes sure that this trickery never happens.

Aufruf

Originally Yiddish, this word means “to call up.” It happens before the wedding ceremony when the couple is called to the Torah to be blessed. After Aliyah and Misheberach blessings, the congregation members with the bride and groom happy life together and throw candies at them.

The Betrothal

In Jewish ceremonies, the order is different from others. Unlike western weddings, traditions in the Jewish community begin with marriage. In this ceremony, attended by a rabbi, they lay out the stipulations of the marriage, and the couple and their families use it as a chance to know each other better.

In the 11th century, this semi-binding ceremony was integrated into the wedding ceremony. Now the bride and groom speak the betrothal vows before speaking the wedding vows.

The Walk to the Chuppah

This one is another difference between the Jewish traditions and other westerns. The groom’s father and mother walk him to the Chuppah, the place where he and his wife will exchange vows. After that, it’s the bride’s parents’ turn. When they reach the area, all of them stand next to each other, including the rabbi.

The Place to Exchange Vows

The place where the couple exchanges vow has four corners and a roof, resembling the new home they’re building. The location can be a freestanding structure covered with flowers or four posts that their family members hold up.

The Actual Marriage Proposal

After the betrothal vows, the Jewish marriage proposal arrives. It happens as the groom places a ring on the bride’s index finger, but before that, he recites a particular phrase in both Hebrew and English languages. The phrase means that the marriage is taking place lawfully by placing the ring on her fingers.

Breaking of the Glass

After the ceremony steps are completed, the couple (or in some cases only the groom) will shatter a glass inside a cloth bag. The symbolic move has several meanings. For some, it conveys that the bride and groom should stand by each other through life’s ups and downs. Whatever the reason, the cloth is collected, and some choose to have it as a memento.

The Law of Moses and Israel

This phrase refers to the Torah, and it’s used the same as it was used before. However, the written document and phrases imply an essential foundation of the law in Jewish marriage culture. It means that the man and woman understand the rabbinic aspects of the law and marry following it.

To Wrap Up

The proposal and marriage in the Jewish community is an interesting and romantic one. If you’ve decided to start your new life with a partner who’s on the same page as you, it would be best to start dating online and meet Jewish men and women who are the best options around. You can easily find people with the same religious beliefs and honor the symbolism and traditions in the best way.