marriage

• marriage is seen as an important religious and spiritual ceremony in Judaism
• ' A man shall therefore leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and they shall become one flesh' - Genesis 2:24
• marriage is considered God-given, as seen through the word Kiddushin (holy or sanctified) which is used for the betrothal ceremony and the first part of the ceremony
• Ketubah - marriage contract made between the bride and the groom, legal document in which the husband traditionally promises to support his wife
• Under the chuppah - the main part of the ceremony takes place under the chuppah, shelter with four sides open symbolising the Jewish home
• Marriage is seen as a blessing and joyous occasion
• Nisuin is the second part of the ceremony in which 7 further blessings are said to finalise the marriage. These blessings praise God for creating the human race