The Wedding of Yudit and Matt – Rabbi’s RemarksIn Jewish tradition, the formal evidence of a marriage is a document known as the KETUBAH or wedding contract. It embodies the essential matter and obligations of Matthew and Yudit have agreed to and will sign along with their witnesses in a little while. The KETUBAH was originally written in Aramaic, although today is is in Hebrew and English. The exact wording has varied throughout the ages and between different Jewish communities, but in all essentials it has remained the same. When it became the practice to read the wedding contract in public during the marriage ceremony, families began to decorate the parchment. Sometimes there was an artistic border around the text, sometimes there were flowers, signs of the zodiac and decorated lettering. In fact, a whole art form of illuminated KETUBOT were popular in Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries. I bring this detail of the KETUBAH to your attention in the hop that it will provide a lesson for your marriage. The formal union which we celebrate today, a day, the third day of the week…a day which the Book of Genesis says: “And G-d saw that it was VERY GOOD”…suggests certain promises and responsibilities that you both assume one for the other. They make up the day-to-day concerns of your marriage…but you will not stop with these promises. Your ongoing challenge is to find ways of weaving elements of beauty into the fundamental relationship of husband and wife…transforming a simple legal contract into a beautiful work of art…. You are also challenged to make your marriage a KIDDUSHIN – a partnership endowed with the beauty of holiness. As the document of marriage moved from the record of a simple legal formula to a finely drawn work of art, so too will your marriage – a natural progression of a loving relationship that continues to grow from the essentials of this moment to the creation of something very precious and beautiful – unique to you. I hope that you will search out beauty – together and separately wherever it may be found, and draw it around your lives. There is beauty in all that you do and share – be it in places of interest and historical sites, cinema, theatre, cooking and eating – even sharing your allergies…. There is beauty in your characters – especially the humour… May this newest chapter of your lives together, and your home where this KETUBAH will be framed and displayed, reflect the ideals of lovingkindness and happiness for one another…your families, and all who enter your home…. The beauty of holiness is the finest framework in which two people can place their lives, pledged to one another. I’m sure I speak for all who are here of our hope and prayer that the beauty of holiness fill your lives and your dreams. May it be an everflowing fountain of inspiration for you – now and in the years to come. |