significance of Marriage
Also the marriage ceremony itself contains symbolic significance to Judaism, conveying Jewish beliefs through symbols, actions and words. The mitzvah of marriage is especially important as it involves what Jews believe to be the purpose of human life: unity to procreate. This belief is modelled by the creation story in Genesis where Adam is made a partner (Eve) through one of his ribs “For this reason man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife” (Genesis). The idea of a “bashert” or ideal partner makes marriage especially important as it creates a bond between two souls, just like Adam and Eve, fulfilling God’s will. This unity being made, a married couple are able to carry out the next mitzvah (125): “To have children with one’s wife” to fulfil the commandment “be fruitful and multiply”(Gen 1:28). Due to this law, Jewish people see marriage as the only way of being able to have children, so in marriage; a Jew is able to adhere to two mitzvot. To be Jewish one has to be born of a Jewish mother, therefore, Jewish marriages are significant ensuring Judaism remains through generations due to procreation and the adherence of individuals marrying. Marriage is a covenant between a man and woman expressing their love and fidelity toward each other and is important as it is a symbol for God’s covenant with the Israelites reminding the Jewish people of their link with God. This is because, as a woman and man promise to be faithful and committed to each other, and as Hosea was faithful to his adulterous wife, God promises the same thing to the Israelites “though they turn to other gods. ”Men wear white kittel and women also wear white to signify the bond as it symbolises not only their purity but the fact that the connection being established runs deeper than colour on canvas.