Lifecycles

From Dowries to Smashed Dishes | Article

By Herb Geduld

Origins of practices and the simplification of the betrothal-marriage process

Tena'im | Document

By Joshua Yan and Alison Engel

The Tenaim document, a prewedding contract of the conditions on which the marriage will stand, is an Ashkenazic tradition of engagement. Here is one example.

Self-Authored Tena'im | Document

By James I. Greene and Jennifer S. Corman

Created by a bride and groom in their personal spirit, with an exchange of gifts fulfilling the tradition of kinyan, the "bride price"

Tena'im (Engagement) Ceremony | Complete Ceremony

By Joshua Yan and Alison Engel

A tena'im ceremony based on a traditional version but using a new tena'im contract spelling out the couple's mutual obligations in marriage

Kavanah for Mikveh | Ritual Component

By Carol Rose

A meditation for the mikveh invoking God's healing presence

We Immerse in the Waters of Eden | Complete Ceremony

By Rabbi Leila Gal Berner

Mikveh for a couple before wedding

Ceremony for Immersion | Complete Ceremony

By Rabbi Barbara Rosman Penzner and Rabbi Amy Joy Small

Prayers to recite prior to immersion in the mikveh

Ketubah (Wedding Contract) | Article

By Rabbi Rona Shapiro

An article about the ketubah, or wedding contract, which describes its history, new ketubot, egalitarian ketubot, and alternatives to the ketubah.

Conservative Ante-Nuptial Agreement | Document

A Conservative version of an agreement between the bride and groom to abide by the decision of a rabbinic court in the event of divorce, thus abrogating the situation of agunah, a "chained woman" whose husband refuses her a religious divorce.

Lieberman Clause | Document

Meant to be appended to the traditional ketubah and written in Aramaic by the late, great Rabbi Saul Lieberman, this clause requires the husband to grant a religious divorce (get) to his wife, should the marriage dissolve. This clause is usually used by Conservative Jews instead of the Orthodox pre-nuptial agreement.

Orthodox Prenuptial Agreement | Document

An agreement signed by the bride and groom prior to the wedding which abrogates the situation of a recalcitrant husband who refuses his wife a religious divorce

Orthodox Ketubah | Document

Text of the standard, traditional ketubah in Aramaic and English

Egalitarian Ketubah | Document

By Rabbi Gordon Tucker

An example of a halachic (sanctioned by some interpretations of Jewish law) ketubah drawing on precedent from ancient text

New Ketubah | Document

Example of an egalitarian/personalized ketubah

Acquiring Equality | Article

By Heather Altman and Susan Sapiro

A thoughtful article about how two modern brides reconciled tradition and feminism in their weddings

B'rit Ahuvim — Lovers' Covenant | Document

By Rachel Adler

An alternative to the ketubah which explicitly rejects the language of kinyan (acquisition) in favor of the mutual language of covenant. See article on the Ketubah.

Tischen (Groom's and Bride's Tables) | Article

A brief description of this ritual, traditionally only practiced for the groom, but now embraced by both members of the couple, separately or together

Bedecken (Veiling the Bride) | Article

A brief description of this ritual and ways to make it more egalitarian

Bedecken (Noticing Each Other) | Ritual Component

By Rabbi David Sulomm Stein and Shulamit Sulomm Gehlfuss

A mutual bedecken ceremony in which the groom and bride adorn one another with kippot and flowers

Prayers for a Bedecken Ceremony | Complete Ceremony

By Rabbi Ariel Stone

A ritual involving both the couple and their parents or other family members

"Bedecken" | Poem

By Henny Wenkart

A mother's observation of the bride