Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-10-10
THE NUPTIAL KNOT.
Marriage Customs And Ceremonies
of Many Lands.

In the earliest records that have come
down to US, very little is said about the
ceremony by which a couple were ordi-
narlly united. Among the primitive
Jews there was betrothal and espousal.
but no further formal ceremony except
the mere removal of the bride from her
fathers house to that of the bridegroom
or his father. at later time the cere-
monies began more elaborate. On the
wedding day the bride would be as
elegantly attlred as her circumstances
would permit, and veiled like Rebeccd.
a maid was always married on the
fourth day OF the week, and widow
on the fifth. During the ceremony the
father, If he were the celebrator, would
take the hand of his daughter and give
her to the bridegroom, saying: BE
hold, take her after the law of Moses
and lead her away" II the father did
not act as celebrstor the rabbi or head
of the synagogue would take the ex-
tremity of the scarf or garment which
was around the bridegroom's neck and
cover the head of the bride with 1t,
after which he consecrated cup OF
wine and gave IL TO the two contract
ing parties.
In modern times a canopy of silk is
usually put up under which the bride
and bridegroom stand on either side of
the parents or guardians, and in front
Is the chief rabbi, standing between
the two ministers OF the synagogue.
Then the bridegroom presents the ring
! (which was only a modern custom in
lieu OF dowerl. The ring is examined
| by the chief rabbi, who asks the happy
man II the ring is his own, and being
answered in the affirmative the BRIDE
| groom places the ring upon the fore
finger OF the bride. saying: behold.
| thou art sanctified to me. according to
the law of Moses and Israel" Then
follow blessings and prayers by tie
rabbi, after which one of the synagogue
| officials deposits on the ground at the
| foot of the bridegroom small board,
upon which an ordinary wine glass is
placed. The bridegroom then stamps
upon 1t and dashes it to pieces. when
all assembled cry out: "MaZzietowl
MaZzletowr' (Good Iuckl Good luckN
| Then follow the usual hand5hak-
ings and congratulations, and the cere-
mony is over.
Among the ancient Babylonians the
ceremonies were originally the same.
There were festivals lasting three days,
| and in their course occurs the follow
| ing curious custom: The bridegroom
was placed within circle of dancers,
and the guests and bystanders then
proceeded TO stick small coins upon his
forehead AS the money fell it was
caught in an open handkerchief held
under his chin. After this party of
young men would rush into the crowd
and carry off the most wealthy guests
and lock them up in a dark room until
they paid proper ransom, which would
go to swell the dowry.
The custom that guests at wedding
should make presents to the bride and
bridegroom IS very old; in fact. it has
been observed IN all parts of the world
W many people and at all periods or the
worlds history. The old Greek, the
Roman and the Jew all did 1t, an 1 it
is common custom among even saw
age tr.b TO this day, but the p IS nts
made vary with the people making
them, and with the rank which Is given
to woman in the national customs. In
old Norway the BRIDES wedding outfit
included shield, sword and an ak,
it being supposed that she would need
these To protect herself against her hus-
bands blows.