Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-15
A KNOTTY QUESTION.
Jewish Rabbits Must Decide Legality OF
Ancient Marriage Custom.

Eighty Jewish rabbls, including RAD
hi Reynolds of the synagogue bnai
Israel of this city are called upon 10
determine whether an ancient Jewish
marriage custom Is still In vogue IN
thls country and whether Marie Roy
men Of Baltimore, Md, Is the wife OF
samue, oren or Jacob Goldberg. II the
almost prehistoric rite is sustained,
then the woman Is Mrs. Goldberg II
the marital laws Of modern times SUI
persede those Of centuries ago, then the
former Miss Roypen is Mrs. Oren.
According to the reports in the Balti-
more papers in the Moses Montefore
synagogue. on the night OF Oct, IL,
Marie was marching up the aisle to be
married TO Samuel Oren when jacob
Goldsmith rushed to the brides side,
and, slipping silver half dollar into
the brides hand, pronounced formula
declaring her his wife.
In the confusion that followed, Gold
berg's friends declared that Marie was
now married woman and the cere-
mony with Oren must not proceed fur
Their Marie herself dashed her wreath
TO the ground and dramatically ex-
claimed. Samuel. cannot marry you
now. for am Jacob Goldbergs wife
according to the law of our faith"
Oren's friends on the othr hand,
declared that Goldberg had not prop
erly pronounced the formula, and that
there had been no marriage. The
brides father took sides With Oren
and insisted that the marriage cere-
mony be continued. Rabbi Goodman
agreed TO conduct the services, and
Marie, on the verge Of collapse from
the excitement, was led to the "Huppa"
an unwilling sacrifice, and duly mar
ried 10 samuel Oren. Then there was
the delayed feast unattended by Gold
berg and his friends, which lasted UNI
III the first rays Of the sun appeared.
The bride and bridegroom took an
early walk. on the way Marie asked
Samuel 10 go to her cousins home for
her clothes. The obliging Samuel con-
scented, and then and there Lost his
bride. for Marie hurled off to Gold
berg. and the pair eloped to Boston and
Quincy. where, according TO stories told
upon their return, they spent delight
ful honeymoon.
Ii vas finally decided by both sides
to submit the matter FOR final decision
TO commission. consisting OF Rabbi
A. LeylnsOn. Rabbi Hlrscj German and
Rabbi Nof Samrelson. Marie agreeing
meanwhile 90 live apart from Jacob.
The rabblnical committee was unable
10 decide the matter. so II has been left
10 & Special board OF rabbis. as men.
toned aboye. Rabbi Reynolds saws that
the ceremony which Goldberg per.
formed dates back to the time when
the Jewa had their own political laws:
before they lost their autonomy. When
they disbanded and lost their autono-
my, many Of the Jews gave up the
custom and adapted themselves 10 the
iaNs Of the country in which they lived.
The orthodox Jews have and stu cling
to. the marriage customs OF their an
oestCrs. and have practiced Il down
through Tie ages.
Dr. Reynolds says further: II am not
N a position 10 speak oufhoritatNely
on the question al this time. but /
would venture the assertion that the
decision VIII be that Miss Roypen is
the lawful wife u Mr., Oren. When the
old custom was IN vogue. woman did
not have 10 live with man who
married her IN that way, although she
was really his wife. II she ala not
love the man. and did not want 10 live
with him. she continued her life as
before, but before she could marry a
man OF her choice. she was compelled
TO secure q divorce. The orthodox
Jews WI consider Miss Reypen the
wife q Nr. Goldberg. but. inasmuch
as the Jews have no political laws OF
their own In this country. | should
say they viii be compelled to abide by
the laws Of the United States. In tina,
event abe IL the wife Of AIR. oren."