The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-28
A HEBREW WEDDING.
Scene in n synagogue- e-Interruption of n Mar
rtnRe Ceremony.


Yesterday afternoon, says the Washington
Star of last evening, the synagogue on Eighth
street, between II and ], was filed to overflow
ing by Israelites and Christians to witness the
marriage of Mr.. Solomon Caro- of New York, to
Elizabeth Abrahams, of this city.
The reader, Mr.. jacobson, commenced the
service by delivering the nuptial address or ser
mon in English, in which he spoke OF the duties
of husband and wife to each other and to the
werld. During its delivery the father of the
groom, Rabbi Caro-, who was to have taken part
in the ceremony, had been seated to the left of
the desk. At its close he was beckoned to by
Mr.. jacobson, but instead of continuing the
ceremony, he took position in front of the
young couple and addressed them in Hebrew,
saying that it was against his conviction to con-
tinue the services in the reformed style; that he
was orthodox, and could not allow the cere-
mony to proceed. The bridal party remained in
their place few minutes, and then the bride
telling the groom that they had better return to
her fathers, they walked down the aisle, and,
taking the carriages, Immediately proceeded to
Mr.. Abrahams' residence.
These proceedings caused considerable sur
mise on the part of those present who did not
understand the Hebrew tongue, but it was soon
learned that the Rabbi objected to the cere-
nony because of the absence of the canopy, the
use of which the strictly orthodox Israelites (of
which he is one) hold to be an essential part of
their marriage ceremony. This canopy, which
is made of blue silk and supported upon four
posts held by young men of the congregation, is
supposed to represent the blue arch of heaven.
1t is not used by the Reform Hebrews, and it is
represented on behalf of the congregation here
that they simply granted the youthful couple
(who are neither of them members of this
branch of the church, the use of the synagogue
without any stipulation being made as to the
use of the canopy. That any misunderstanding
or interruption should have occurred is deeply
regretted by them, but they could not foresee
that granting the use of the synagogue simply
would lead to such a result as it did in this
case.
The audience left the synagogue, most of
them disappointed, but number who had invi-
tations to the house of Mr.. Abrahams proceeded
thither. Here the bridal party had arrived, and
after evening prayers the father OF the bride
signed the marriage contract, and the ceremony
was performed with all the forms and symbols
used by the orthodox Israetes. A canopy was
raised in the centre of the room the poles al
the corners being held by the bystanders and
the groom with the groomsmen and brides
maids having taken their positions under it, the
bride was called in, and the Rabbi, after the
preliminary prayer, read the marriage contract
and the ring having been handed to him by the
groom he placed it on the finger of the bride
and the pair partook of nuptial wine. Rabbi
Ilowy read the seven benedictons, and the wine
having been again presented was drank by the
couple. In conclusion the glass was broken by
DR.. nlowy on the hearth.