Introduction

2. The Jewish Wedding, and the Parallels that exist in the Relationships between GOD and the children of Israel, and between Christ and the Church - including coming events in the End Times.

4. Introduction • Weddings date from the union of Adam and Eve in the Garden, were instituted by God for the First Bride and Groom, and continued through the Patriarchs of Israel. The state of Historical weddings started with Abraham and Isaac, and were codified in the Torah by Moses, > 3800 years ago.

5. The Historical wedding is meant to be a reenactment of the contract – agreement – covenant between Israel and G-D that took place at Mt. Sinai, when G-D said “You will be my people, and I will be your G-D, and the people of Israel said “We agree and we will listen”.

6. The traditions and rites of a modern Jewish wedding are a mix from Biblical, historical, spiritual, mystical, cultural, and legal roots. Marriage is a legal transaction, a mutually binding commitment contract between the groom, the bride, and G-D.

7. The Groom is the “chosen”, and the bride is the “kallah”, and they are treated like a King and Queen during the wedding and the week following. • Wedding Day for the Jewish couple is a personal Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.

8. The engagement and betrothal • The Shiddukhin Ceremony is the traditional engagement process between the groom and his family, and the bride and her family. The grooms father visits the girl’s father with a proposal. If the girl’s father agrees, the conditions of support and price for the bride are agreed on. The bride payment is more a statement of the ability of the groom and his family to support the marriage, and a promise of payment if the groom should die or disappear, than a payment or purchase of the bride. They then toast the agreement with wine.

9. The bride and groom are then brought in, and the groom proclaims his love and asks her to marry him. If the girl agrees to the proposal, a gift is given by the groom – indicating his sincerity and promise to return for his bride on their wedding day. Often the gift is a ring, and the groom says, “Behold you are consecrated unto me with this ring, according to the laws of Moses and Israel”.

10. Two written contracts are then constructed and signed. The first is the Ketubah, document written in Aramaic, which is a marriage contract outlining the place, time, and size of the wedding, the amount of the dowery, and the terms of maintenance for the marriage, including the duties of the groom to his bride, to sustain her, to honor her, to cherish her, and to support her

12. The second document that is signed is the Tena’im, and official engagement document. This was referred to in Hos 2:21. It may include decisions about money management, job decisions, aliyah, children, counseling, and many other aspects of married life. It, like the Ketubah, is a legal document. The ceremony is called the Kiddushin, or betrothal, and outlines the sanctification, or holy setting aside of each other for a purpose of marriage

14. At the conclusion of the signing by the bride and groom, a glass of wine is consumed. Two candles are lit, then brought together, signifying the joining of two into one. A pair of fragrant blossoms is passed around, signifying the sweet smell of G-Ds blessing on the betrothal, and a ceramic plate is broken by the mothers of the bride and groom, signifying the finality of the agreement.

15. The groom departs, but not before he promises to return in one year to take her as his bride, and in the meantime, he will be building her a home, usually a room adjoining his father’s house. The wedding chamber had to be a beautiful place to bring the bride

16. The wedding chamber had to be built to the groom's father's specifications. The young man could go for his bride only when his father approved. If the bridegroom was asked when the wedding was to be, he might well say "it is not for me to know, only my father knows".

17. Parallelisms in the Engagement Ceremonies • G-D and the children of Israel were ceremoniously married in the desert after the giving of the commandments on Mt. Sinai.

18. Jesus and the Church are to be joined as husband and wife after the Rapture. Jesus committed his love to us in “:that while we were yet sinners He died for us.” He paid the price of our sin by living a perfect, sin-free life, then dying for the sins of the world on the cross.

19. In his Resurrection, he redeemed us from the penalty of death, and promises to betroth himself to us, returning at the Rapture to gather us to himself, and take us to his Fathers house, where we will spend eternity with Him.

20. In eternity past, the Father, Son, and holy Spirit planned our salvation, which included the price for our redemption, “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

21. Gifts for the Bride • The Holy Spirit was given to us as a gift, sealing the promise of Jesus’ return to us. Jesus' Fulfillment: The gifts that Jesus gave us are the gifts of the Holy Spirit: We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit 1 John 4:13

22. Jesus described this gift in John 14:26: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

23. The Bible is a written contract of G-Ds promises and everlasting love and commitment to us. (note: “Testament” in Greek is “diatheke,” meaning “specifically, a contract.” Strong’s Grk 1242)

24. Jesus’ proposal is salvation and eternal life is we will confess our sin, and accept His payment for our sin. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” If we say “yes” to the offer of marriage, we become His betrothed. The agreement is sealed by the Holy Spirit who protects the bride until Jesus’ return.

25. (Psalms) 19:1-5 {For the director of music. A psalm of David.} The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his chupah, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

26. Jesus' Fulfillment: The Cup • Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

27. Jesus' Fulfillment: Preparing a Place • When Jesus left earth, he asked his disciples, “Why are you standing here looking up into heaven. I will return.” Acts 1:11 • "...In my Father's house are many rooms or mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am John 13:1-3

28. Jesus said: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come Mark 13:32-33.

29. The bride’s price: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

30. Hoshea (Hosea) 2:16-20 "In that day," declares HaShem, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master.' I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked. …. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge HaShem.

31. The interim espousal period • The year between the engagement and the wedding has many traditional and practical elements. The first challenge that must be met is the choice of a wedding day. The date must not be on prohibited days, which include: any day before a holiday or feast, the day of a holiday or feast, and Shabbat, or Sabbath - and other holy days or celebrations. Tuesday is usually chosen as the desirable day of the week.

32. A pair of friends (Shomers for the groom, and Shomeret for the bride) is selected to help the bride and groom through the wedding process, and many details are left up to these “guards”. As the wedding approaches, especially during the last week before the wedding, the guards act as a go-between for the couple.

33. During the last week, and especially during the wedding event, the guards make sure that the couple is at all venues on time, and in proper attire. The also act as chauffeurs for the couple, to make sure that they are never left together alone.

34. There are several mandatory things that the couple must do during this period. One is the hiring of a professional wedding tutor to teach them of the Jewish rituals, laws, and customs they will encounter in this period. The groom (chosen) usually has a rabbi show him the duties of a husband, and the spiritual role of the newly formed family.

35. Topics during this time of instruction will include: • Plans for the wedding • Spiritual preparation for marriage • Sharing of personal, spiritual and professional dreams, ambitions, and goals • Setting the bar for life – morals, values, inner happiness and satisfaction • Devotions to the ideals and practices of the Torah • How to treasure and build a meaningful relationship • How to create a holy and pure family life • How to prepare for and agree on a lifetime commitment to each other

36. Topics during this time of instruction will include • How to merge two souls, not just the flesh • How a temporary distance will lead to unparalleled closeness • How they are both on a sacred journey • Explore the reasons that led to the engagement • Establish charity and community service • Base their home on kindness and compassion • Link all past, present, and future generations through their home

38. Parallelisms in the interim espousal period • There are three persons in the Trinity (Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost), three parties in a marriage (the groom, the bride, and G-D), three types of people attending a wedding (the bride, the groom, and the invited guests), and here groups involved in the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus the groom, the Church as the bride, and the invited guests – those saved after the Rapture).

39. There were also 3 aspects of every Jewish wedding. The same is true with the marriage of the Lamb. • 1. The Wedding Contract (Betrothal). This is when a person is saved (2 Cor. 11:2).

40. There were also 3 aspects of every Jewish wedding. The same is true with the marriage of the Lamb. • The Wedding Ceremony (Groom receives Bride). This is the Rapture (John 14:2-3). Revelation 19:7 literally reads, "The marriage of the Lamb came and His wife prepared herself."

41. There were also 3 aspects of every Jewish wedding. The same is true with the marriage of the Lamb. • The Wedding Feast (Guests are invited the celebration). This is the Second Coming (Matt. 25:1-10) "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:9)--

42. Hosea 2:19-20 puts it this way: “I will betroth thee unto Me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in justice, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord”

43. In a marriage, as in a life in Christ, ego, self-acclaim, and identity are blended into one. We are to set ourselves aside in sanctification for the wedding with Christ. We are to study ways to work out our salvation and produce fruit while we wait for Jesus’ return.

44. The last week before the wedding • The bride and groom will not see each other during this final week. They will be separated to heighten the anticipation and joy when the meet on their wedding day.

45. Both the bride and groom, on separate times, within four days of the wedding, are immersed in a Mikvah, or bath, at the synagogue to ceremoniously cleanse and purify them.

46. During this week they will offer special prayers for the holiness and sanctification of the marriage. This process is a personal version of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, where each asks G-D for forgiveness of sins, and consecrates themselves to the marriage

47. AufRuf • At the synagogue, on the Shabbat, or Sabbath, the groom is called up for an Aliyah to recite a blessing over the Torah. He is then pelted with soft candy to wish him a sweet new life. The congregation sings “Siman Tov u’ Mazel Tov”, which congratulates the groom with a special blessing for their marriage, and an assurance of happy circumstances

48. Shabbat Kallah • On the Shabbat before the wedding, the bride’s friends and loved ones, as well as the women from the community, gather together to celebrate the bride, bring her joy, make her laugh, and keep her away from last minute jitters.

49. Parallelisms in the last week festivities • The relationship between the land and the people has a parallel in the relationship between husband and wife. For example, the people have obligations to the land, (the Sabbatical shmita year, when the land must lie fallow, and various prohibitions of mixed plantings, etc.), just as a husband has obligations towards his wife for food, clothing, and conjugal rights.

50. The word used for entering the land, kitavo (Deut. 26:1) comes from the same verb used for sexual intercourse, biya. Regarding the jubilee year, the Torah specifically says that in the 50th year, the land is sanctified, and sanctification (kiddushin) is the precise mishnaic term for betrothal.