JEWISH MARRIAGES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1980, 10 May 1875, Page 3

JEWISH MARRIAGES.

The following is a translation of the marriage contract:~" On the,—clay of the week, on the —> day of the month —, in tho year 55—from the Creation of the World according to the era by which we reckon in this place son of —— said to the maiden — daugher of ——: Be my wife according to the laws of Moses and Israel, and I will serve, honor, nourish, and support thee according to the custom of Jewish men, who, in truth, serve, nourish, and support their wives; and will give thee the dowry of virgins, v.iz., 200 zuzs due to thee, according to law; also thy food and dress and thine other requirements. I will also keep ; conjugal fidelity towards thee according j to the manner of every country. And —— the said maiden consented to become his wife. Now .— — the bridegroom accepts for 100 shekels in refined silver all told, the marriage portion which she brings from her father's house, whether in silver or gold trinkets, wearing apparel, house or bed-furniture, and adds to this amount from his own, one hundred shekels in refined silver, the sum total amounting to two hundred shekels in refined silver. The bridegroom has further said:—• I undertake for myself and my heirs the guarantee of the bend set forth in this document the marriage portion, and the additional sum taken upon myself to be paid out of the most valuable portion of: my chattels and properties wherever they may be situated, whether now in my possession or to be acquired by me at future time, whether real or personal, all these shall be held under lien and mortgaged so that out of them shall be paid the bond set forth in the document, the marriage portion, and the additional sum, even if I should have to part with my mantle from my shoulder, whether in my lifetime or after my death, now and at all times. The said bridegroom has taken upon himself the guarantee for the bond set forth in this document, the marriage portion and the additional sum with the full responsibility as is the case with all the bonds customary among the daughters Of Israel, executed in comformity with the rules laid down by our sages, not conditionally nor as a mere exercise draft. Delivered by the said bridegroom— —g to ths maiden—^—in accordance with, the preceding statement and explanation,. made valid for taking possession by the ceremony of laying hold on the vestment." [In the original certain technical terms borrowed, from the Talmudical Jurisprudence are used, for which there are no English equivalents. These have, therefore, been rendered approximately. A Zury was a fourth part of a shekel. Tie troy weight of a shekel was from 215 to 29 grains. Its value, therefore, was about 2s 4d*] — Jewish Chronicle.