Rituals - Marriage & Funerals

Marriage

  1. explain 2 of the Jewish Rituals in a Jewish Wedding

  2. Explain 2 reasons why marriage is important in Judaism

Marriage: a legal union between a man and women (or same sex) as partners in a relationship

some Jewish rituals of marriage

  • a couple has a betrothal ceremony traditionally 12 months before the wedding

  • at the betrothal, the ketubah, a wedding contract is drawn up to remind the groom of his responsibilities towards his wife and vice versa

  • the wedding ceremony is led by a rabbi under a Chuppah to symbolise the couples new home together

  • bride wears white to symbolise purity, Jews save the gift of sex for marriage

  • the bride circles the groom 7 times to symbolise the couple making time for each other every day of the week

  • the groom breaks a glass to symbolise the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem

importance

  • marriage is a way of sustaining the Jewish community

  • it’s needed to start a family

influences

  • Jews believe it’s their duty from God to marry

  • Jews ensure they find the right partner for marriage

“they become one flesh” - Genesis 2:24

Mourning

  1. read pdf + revision guide

  2. notes on mourning rituals

  3. explain 2 mourning rituals

After someone in the family dies, Judaism provides a precise burial and mourning rituals. These help Jews express their grief.

some mourning rituals…

after death

  • lit candle is placed by the deceased’s head

  • members of the Chevra Kadisha wash the body and wrap it in a white linen sheet no matter their class they’re treated the same

  • close family make a small tear in their clothes to show sadness

the funeral

  • body is placed in a simple biodegradable wooden coffin to show nothing material lasts

  • after a short service the body is taken to a cemetery

  • closest relative shovels the fist soil onto the grave and reads the Kaddish

Shiva

  • for 7 days mourners spend the morning sitting on low seats and comforting each other

  • relatives and friends visit to comfort mourners

Anniversary of death & Yom Kippur

  • mourners light a Yarzheit candle to burn for 24 hours and recite the Kiddush