MARRIAGE AT A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 235, 1 November 1876, Page 4

MARRIAGE AT A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

4 The following report of the marriage of Miss Leonora Simonsen, daughter of Mr M. and Madame Simonsen*, to Mr D. Davis, son of Mr Hyam Davis, a Christchurch merchant, is abridged from the Lyttelton Times: — The scene was of an imposing char» acter. Six large wax candles were burning in silver candlesticks on each side oi the reading desk; the Rabbi wore a Talish or prayer scarf, of white silk, with appropriate fringes, and the rich dresses of the bride aud the ladies who accompanied her were in gay contrast with tbe black garments worn by the gentlemen who were present at the ceremony. Tbe ceremony which took place yesterday was full ehorai,' The Rabbi, the Rev. Isaac Zachariah, was the officiating minister, assisted by a large choir, with Mr J. C. Thomson presiding at one of Hamlin's American Organs. The appointed hour — 2 p.m — having arrived, the afternoon service was read, and the bride and bridegroom having been exhorted carefully to examiue their past life during the earlier part of the day, a portion of the service for the dav of Atonement— the " Confession of Sin " — was read. A canopy of blue silk, lined with white satin, fringed with silver, and supported by fourloug polos, was then placed in trout of the Ark containing ihe scrolls of the law. The bridegroom, accompanied by his father, and the lather of the bride, and the bride accompanied by her own aud the bridegroom's mother, were then conducted beneath the canopy. The face of the bride was covered with a veil in token of femule modesty, even as Rebekah (Genesis xxiv, 65) ,( took a veil and covered herself when she saw Isaac." The bride and bridegroom beiDg placed opposite the officiating minister, a hymn of praise to Jehovah was chanted, and a prayer offered up. At the conclusion of the prayer the Rabbi took a silver cup full of wine in his hand, and offered a fervent blessing to Him, who, "by means of bis commandments, inculcating chastity, has sanctified Israel." The bridegroom and bride then both partook of the wine. Tbe Rabbi then banded ihe wedding ring to the bridegroom, who, before placing it on the 6oger of ihe bride, said iu the presence of thoae who stood around the canopy, two of whom had been specially set apart for the purpose, "Behold thou art wedded to me with this riug, according to the law of Moses and Israel." Th<* Rabhi then offered up a prayer in Eogli&h. The marriage contract was next read: It specified tha' the bridegroom took tbe bride as his lawful wife, and that he promised to maintain, houor, and cherish her, and to perform all those obligations towards her that religion imposed upon him. Tbis instrument (called Ketubah) is of a very ancient origiu. Allusion is made to it in the book of Tohit, vii, 14; " and Ritguel called Edna his wife, aud took paper and did write an instrument of covenants, and sealed it." The Rabbi nextpronouoced the " Seven Blessing." A glass of wine was then presented to the newly married pair, of which they drank. The glass was then laid on ihe floor in front of the bridegroom, who crushed it wilh his feet. Various reasouß have been assigned for tbis custom, the most probable one is that in our happiest moments, amidst our most perfect delights, we should be rrmi nded of the vanity of all earthly things. The broken glas3 is aiso in*ended to show that He who holds the issues of life and death, cao at any lime crush man as easily as tlie brittle glass has hem destroyed, and that therefore man's thoughts should not be directed to earthly things alone, but jshould also be devoutly bent on a future state. The siDging of a " Hallelujah " concluded tbe ceremony, nnd the usual congratulations were offered to the newly-married pair. As the bride and bridegroom left the Synagogue the fine band of the Opera, which was slaiioned outside, played Mendelssohn's ' Weddiug March." A lnr<*e crowd had -assembled outside the Synagogue, proving the interest tfeken in the event. Tbe usual marriage feast was then held, the "Seven Blessings "' being repeated wlipo tbe grace after meat had beeu said, in order to impress the stamp of religious solemnity even upon upon a merry wedding meal.