christian / jewish marriage rite of passage. christian marriage the time- the christian churches...

Christian / Jewish Christian / Jewish MarriageMarriageRite of PassageRite of Passage

Christian marriageChristian marriage

The Time-

• The Christian churches require the couple to be over the age of consent (18 years), but will allow marriage with written consent of both parents or with the approval of a judge or magistrate .

Christian MarriageChristian Marriage

• The Participants:

• The rite of Christian marriage is a public ceremony.

• The couple publicly give witness to their love for each other.

• Participants include: The bridesmaid and best man, who act as witnesses, families and friends, and a priest or minister.


• The Place:

• Christian wedding ceremonies take place in a church. Only in very exceptional circumstances, for example, if one of the partners belongs to a non Christian faith, will permission be given for the marriage to take place elsewhere than in a Church.


• The Charter:• Is the sacred and lifelong union of man

and woman who give themselves to each other in love and trust , reflecting ever lasting love that God has for His Church through Christ.

• Is seen as a way to physical and spiritual fulfilment and it mirrors the unity between Father, Son and Holy Spirit


• Commitment of husband and wife reflects God’s covenant with His people.

• Follows the way of God’s love and this is the way of the cross.

• Is a revelation of God and a channel of grace to each other and to those around them.


• SET FORM-

• Each denomination has various rituals.

• A typical Christian marriage ceremony contains a number of rituals.

• Examples: bridal procession, readings from the Bible, exchange of wedding vows and blessing and exchange of rings.


• Quakers:• Marriage takes place at a meeting called

for the purpose of witnessing the promise made by the couple to each other and there is no exchange of rings.

• Orthodox-• Marriage begins at the entrance to the

Church and couples hold lighted candles during the service of the Word.


• Baptist Church-

• Three main parts:

• introduction (hymn, talk about meaning/purpose of marriage, prayer)

• second part (covenant, joining of hands, rings.)

• service of the Word (scriptures, sermon, prayers, hymn and blessing.)


• Anglican Church-• Banns declared on three Sundays before

wedding (ask congregation if they know of any reasons why the couple should not be married).

• Uniting Church-• Viewed as a way of life created by and blessed

by Christ, congregation prays for the couple, asking that they may fulfill God’s purpose for the whole of their lives.


• The Hierarchical and Role Regulations.• After a couple are married, they move from

being the children of the family to that of the role of parents and thus having children.

• Equality within the relationship is stressed in Christianity.

• The roles of a Christian couple are expected to be equal although they may be socially and culturally influenced.


• Symbols:• Recitation of Marriage Vows: these

promises are central to a Christian marriage ceremony. They affirm the Christian belief that marriage is a life long commitment.

• Exchange of Rings: The rings symbolises the commitment that people will always be true to each other. Love has no end.


• Signing of the Marriage contract: Symbolises the legal requirement of the marriage. Signed by the bride, the groom and the two witnesses.

• Bride wearing white: Is a symbol of purity

• Bride wearing a veil: Is a symbol of modesty.


• The Transformation

• Prior to being married the man and woman were single, and they were part of two separate families. Marriage unites two people together in love, forming a new family unit in which husband and wife are now responsible for one another and for their children.

Jewish MarriageJewish Marriage

• Time:• In Old Testament times men were married

from the age of 18 and girls from 12.• Jews in Australia must be 18 yrs of age

before legal consent can be given• Marriage at a younger age can only

happen with parental consent• Where parents refuse – judge/magistrate

is sought to give permission


• Jewish weddings can take place on any day of the week, except for the Shabbat and on festival days.

• Most Jewish weddings take place on a Sunday – usually in the afternoon.


• Place:• Jewish weddings may either take place in

a synagogue or outside and they always take place under a “chuppah” (a canopy)

• The chuppah is usually elaborately decorated and supported by four poles covered with flowers.

• Sometimes it is simply a prayer shawl held over the heads of the couple


• The Participants:• As the rite of marriage is a public

ceremony, the couple are required to make their vows in public.

• In a Jewish marriage ceremony, the couple give witness to their love for each other and express their desire to ‘sanctify’ God through the ties and obligations of marriage.


• Present at the marriage are the:• Kallah – the bride• Chassan – the groom• friends and family• A rabbi usually officiates – but it can be

any observant Jew familiar with the requirements – as marriage under Jewish law is essentially a private contract between a man and woman


• A ‘minyan’ (10 men) is required to be present for the blessing.

• God is also considered to be present at the wedding.

• The rabbi is there to make sure the wedding is done properly – but he does not technically marry the couple – for the couple are considered married if two proper witnesses observe the ceremony


• The Charter:• Marriage is seen to be God’s design – so for

both men and women it is desirable• The Hebrew word for marriage ‘kiddushin’

(sanctification) expresses its special sanctity – it is considered “the” sacred relationship

• It is seen as a personal relationship – dedicated to companionship and the founding of a family


• It is very highly regarded – in fact to marry and have children is the first commandment given to humanity in the Torah.

• Marriage is a holy covenant – bound by a covenant – the contract, the ‘ketubah’ states the man’s responsibility to provide for his wife.


• The Set Form:• First – the initial blessings are recited• Then there is the giving of the ring – the

words said here constitute the vows of Jewish marriage – the couple are now set apart from others for each other.

• The next part focuses on the contract – the ‘ketubah’ is prepared & signed by witnesses


• The marriage closes as it began with blessings recited over a cup of wine.

• This is followed by the reciting of seven blessings, praising God for the creation of all things.


• Symbols:• Many symbols are part of the ceremony:• Chuppah – canopy – marital home• Escorts – Adam/Eve escorted by 2 angels• Fasting – joyful, but solemn occasion• Blessings – joy couple share• Rings- vows of marriage• Ketubah – contract – practical commitment


• Handkerchief- accepts the ketubah• Seven blessings- praise God – link to history of

Israel• Breaking of wine glass – destruction of the

temple/fragility of life• Retirement to separate room – new status of the

couple as husband/wife• Final blessings- resolve to share • Candles- symbolise joy


• The Hierarchical and Role Relations:• Once married the wife has responsibility

for the home – free her husband to study• Wife has to keep kosher home and bring

up and teach children• All that goes on in the home must be

expressive of Judaism• Role of the husband is to provide for and

protect the family


• Both roles are seen as equally important, and marriage is viewed as an equal partnership

• The Transformation:• Now a couple responsible for continuing the

Jewish nation by starting a family, keeping the mitzvah and bringing the children up in the Jewish tradition

• Now equal with other Jewish couples in the community

christian / jewish marriage rite of passage. christian marriage the time- the christian churches...

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