New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-06
JEUISH M.fERI1GES.


From, The WhirhdH Rsricir.
The Hebrew words for woman and marriage are
in themselves proofs of the lofty idea entertained ot
both. for while among the Greeks woman was known
as the prnp'nitTIX." and among the Romans as
"prolilic. among Jews she was recognized ~ hh,
shah. winch Is equivalent. IN moral and literal
etymolOgy alike 10 the Ish l. g., man and II ~ To
her that tine scriptures GENERALLY refer when they
sneak of a mans house. tihO III Is6iO Again, both
Greeks and Romans looked upon wcdnck ns Il YOKE.
while the Arabs aud Perslans take lower Jew still
but the Hebrew calls betrolhal hhduShin, or
sanct iicatiOn, aud lOuOTs marriage hy tho still
more poetic appellatiOn H'OOd, or tho song Ui cX-
utant praise, All ideal song, Ot which. according to
many litcra'l, the Fortyllth Psalm is actual rx-
ample Marriage, among the Jews, was preceded
by letrOthal which came to pass much aH an Or-
nary English engagement does Ivy the direct court
ship of the wOuld-bo bridegroom, az well ~, in Il
certain degree by tho intervention Of UtIcra alter
the French fashion, That this latter plan of pro-
ccetiing did not find much favor il clear frc the
observation of the 1alInud that no one ought To
marry wife without having personal
knowledge of her. There WAS no lack of
opportunity for acquaintance between the Hebrew
youths and maldens public balls being given on
tam DAYS III the yeal. as if, IT wOnd serm for tbs
very purpose; and as regards the prOvcrDal leap
year privileges of the fur sex, Jrwesscs were par
uculary well of. On the fifteenth day of the month
Alb and on the Day of AtOnement the Young ladies'
all clad alike III white So that there might be- no
distinction between rich and poor, sailed out IN
groups TO the wine gardens, where hey formally
asked the Young men 10 dance with them and hay
ing gained that point went on, half IN Jest and half
III earnest TO ask their hands III marriage. Natur-
ally they rXpatlatcu On their personal charms, If
they mad any, or on their BIRTH If their social IA
was good wnIlc those who could boast mel her one
the other dc-canicd on tine cVaucsccnt character
of physical attractions and the enduring whine Of
morality.
lie wedding itself was u scene Of the prcatpSt
mel iImcnt ola and young joining heartily ia the
general mlrh. and music was q SINE qua nom. No
doubt the auihorcss OF "DanIcl DcrOnI,.u mad Tins
in her mind when she dubbcd the musician of that
novel Herr kicsmer." hicsmd beng the Hebrew for
music, The glass of wine which plays a prominent
nasl hn I'M II, lao,
that the rejoicing was not To be carried TO Xcc,I
and That git which was worthy Conservation
should not be abused, while the breaking II under
foot was TO symbolic; the bnttleness of all earthly
Joys. Another sign OF the high honor in which
marriage was held Is to be found IN the fact that IN
vItatOns to the wedding banquet were looked uDOn
rs special ma of respect, and dire was the offence
gwen II anybody who thought lie had u right 10 be
asked overlooked The bridegroom took the
prominent seat at the feast while the bride remained
in the background, but 10 give both of them all the
pleasure they could was regarded By the assembled
guests as uuiy. The festivities lasted filil week.
and on tie Sabbath following the wedding-dry the
bridegroom was still the observed OF ali Observers
and was honored by marks OF distinctive attention
in the synagogue. The origin OF this custom il bot
interesting and Of great antiquity. When Solomon
built the Temple he says tradition, had two doors
prepared. which were TO be regarded as places spe-
ciay consecrated to the spirit of Kindness man.
One of these called the Bridegrooms the other
the Mourners Door, and on the Sabbath crowds
used to gather round them to see who should enter
When anyone passed the BridegrOOms Door he was
saluted by the On-lOokers with the formula, May
God, whose throne in this house. rejoice thee with
sons and daugttersl" and after the destruction OF
the Temple Dr. Percs says that the rabbls Instituted
the practice that every bridegroom and mOnrnei
should visit the synagogue or lectrehall IL order
that the people, always numerous there, might have
opportunity Of rejoicing with the ore and conso
ing the ntlar.