The Denver Jewish news., 1919-04-30
A ROMANCE OF MARRIAGEs
BY MARY SINGER

''And i love you!
Then let's get married."
Follows a period of hasty prepara'
lions and-itS over. Married,
In such manner as this do OuI
mOdern-schoOled offspring dispense
with the forInalities of marriage. In
4 few minutes they conceive and con
been the tOpicsof twopart volumes and
the ultimate result of years of hope,
longing. despair, and struggle.
And vet these same hnsty lovers arc
descendants of that Sarah and Reuben
who in Talmudic days approached the
holy state of mai rimOny ut the mature
age of twelve. Reuben's chief stock
in trade consisted of u few prccepts
on the treatment of his, better half,
which contained such admonitionS as
"a man must not make woman weep.
for God counts her tears" Sarahs Sc
curity lay In the marriage contract
which secured for her respect and
maintenance as his lawful wife.
For the rest. we'll
Did not Samh's father confer with
the parent of Reuben some years be-
fore and decide that such union
would indeed be blessed? And did
not, exactly a year before. Reuben and
his parents arrive at Sarah's home
where IL betrothal contract was duly
made amid much fcasting and sing
ing? And for full twelvemOnth was
she not kept from the sight of Reu-
ben so that he was total stranger
on their wedding day:
With such an air of mystery about
each other. they could not help hut
he happy-at least till they knew each
other better.
When the Honeymoon Was Not Dis
tlirbell.
And such opportunities as they then
had to Ike in each others company! III
they had not glimpscd each other be-
fore the marriage. they now had sur
felt. Reuben did not have to dash off
to business. leaving hasty but dutiful
did he watch the hands of the clock
20 around to 80 when he could grab
his hat. yank on his coat. and hustle
for the ) :O1 to Middle Village. Not
at all. The way the two Of them
were left strictly alone would make
yOu think they were on Crusoe's Is
land and Friday had gotten lost IN
n storm.
On Friday afternoon. Reuben bOr-
rOwed one of Sarnh's aprons and start
ed in to get the home in shane for
/, the Sabbath. Very painstakinsly he
would pull down all the crOckery and
carefully wash plates. jars. cups. and
pots. replacing them with scrupulcus
exactness. With infinite zeal he would
settle down on his knees and sconr the
saucepans. fastening in his work. SO
that lie might he ready TO help Sarah
set the table for the Sajoath meal.
Now II so happened that Reuben had
to leave Jerusalem to visit in another
town. 1t being the first year of his
marriage. such an act was indeed ,r-
usual and very much against tl:e rnni-
mandmcnts of the laws.
Most loyal of wives" began Reu-
hen. II must leave thee for n while
to visit abroad"
Then give me n conditlOnal divorce
stating that II thou dost not return
within certain period. l am to be
free. and thy house and treasure there.
in to bc mime
..ranted. Let us go to the Rabbi
where the paper may he properly
drawn up and signed"
And so it was.
As II happened. the conditional di
yorce was not needed. Reuben and
Sarah fulfilled the laws of tn" Tai
mud. their kin increased. so thai, by
the tenth century \. ID, hey had a
descendant. Simeon. by name.
How 1t Was Done in the Tenth Cem
tury.
Now Simeon had daughter fast
approaching the marriageahle age OF
twelve, for whom he had put aside
quite neat little dOwry. Which fact
should have set him ut ease concern
ing her future. but which oddly
enough. redOunded to his discomfort
wherefore soliloIuized Simeon.
SHOULD lie awake nights ponderii,s
over the future of my daughter until
she reaches n mature womnnly age!
by that time the Christians may have
made pOgrOm and robbed me of her
portion. What will do then: 1'lnust
confer with the Rabbi
Foolish man," answered that sage
upOn consultation, why wait longer:
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