In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, Jewish wedding rings play a very important role. In Jewish law, a verbal declaration is not enough to be married.
According to Jewish law, a formal, physical consecration must be made. Usually this is done with the giving of a Jewish wedding ring, however in ancient times, it was merely something of value-with the minimum value of what is now a penny.
Don't worry-I know you won't be that cheap! :)The ring must be of solid uninterupted gold with no holes breaking the circle. The continuity of the rings represents the hope for an everlasting marriage.
Requirements for Jewish Wedding Rings
The ring must be the bridegroom's property at the time of the Jewish wedding ceremony. While only one Jewish wedding ring is required by Jewish law, (given to the bride), many couples exchange rings.
Orthodox Rabbis refuse to perform a double ring ceremony, because they feel it invalidates the idea of the groom acquiring the bride as a wife in exchange of something valuable.
A Reform or Conservative denominational Rabbi may incorporate a ring exchange between bride and groom with little problem usually.
What Hebrew Wedding Rings are made of?
Most Jewish wedding rings are made of simple solid gold bands, although recently embellishment with Hebrew letters on the band has become quite popular.
Many rings can even now be fully customized with many different Hebrew phrases, or even the couple's names either inscribed or raised inside the band.
How To Buy a Jewish Wedding Ring
Buying a Jewish Wedding Ring can often be a confusing and frustrating adventure. There are so many Jewish jewelry stores, and with the advent of the internet, there are even more than ever before.
However, the internet has proven to be a big advantage for buyers. Low overhead and large online demand have driven prices for expensive Jewish Wedding Rings that used to go for $800-1000 down into the $320-600 range, depending on 14k or 18 gold, ring size, etc.
Look for merchants with these types of price ranges. Anything cheaper will be a ring of inferior quality. Anything higher is the seller making huge profits - off of potential buyers.
Another advantage of the online retailers is customization and options. Some Jewish wedding ring retailers can completely customize any engraving, either with hebrew phrases or the bride and groom's names. Look for websites who include customization in the price, rather than upsell the customization.
A Jewish Wedding Ring goes on WHICH finger?
The ring ceremony consists of the groom placing the ring on the bride's right index finger. Afterwards, most women move it to the customary "ring finger" of the left hand.
The reason for this Jewish wedding tradition goes back to the time of the Talmud and the differences in beliefs at that time about which finger is closer or more direct to the heart! Christianity taught the ring finger; Judaism taught the index finger.
When the Jewish Wedding Ring is Given?
In most ceremonies, the bridegroom repeats a Hebrew vow after the Rabbi, with the giving of the ring. The bridegroom would declare, "Behold, thou art consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel."
In hebrew, this phrase is Hare at mekudeshet li betaba' at zo k'dat Moshe v' Yisrael.
With a little practice, you can easily learn to roll this phrase off of your tongue in no time at all. If you can't speak Hebrew, don't worry! On our website, we have a page where you can hear this phrase being said, right through your computer.
This statement that husband and wife are holy to each other. It is as if they were saying, "As Shabbat is to Jewish time and as Jerusalem is to Jewish space, you will be to me."
With this buyer's guide to Jewish Wedding rings and their traditions, you can be confident of making a good choice in choosing your rings for your special wedding day.
About the Author:
Josh Singer and Shira Frimer are authors and owners of http://www.about-jewish-weddings.com containing completely FREE articles on everything from A-Z you should know about Jewish Weddings and Jewish Wedding traditions.
They also offer beautiful, completely customizable Jewish Wedding Rings, hand-painted custom Ketubahs (Jewish Marriage Contract), as well as hand-painted silk Jewish Wedding Chuppahs.
Visit their website and receive "101 ways to save on your Wedding Costs" - a $69.00 value - absolutely free, no strings attached.
© 2005 Josh Singer and Shira Frimer. This article may be republished, as long as it remains unchanged, carries this copyright and reprint notice, and has a live link to our site.
Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be... Read More
Hawaii honeymoon vacations could take you to a miracle trip... Read More
Have you heard enough about the "Runaway Bride" yet? Well,... Read More
If bar-hopping and male strippers aren't the bride's idea of... Read More
It's safe to say that of all the important events... Read More
Mens wedding bands are an emerging phenomenon. Whilst women have... Read More
You can rest assured that the charm of your Maui... Read More
Depending on your personal preferences and the preferences of your... Read More
No one wants to pay more than they have to... Read More
Once upon a time a caveman, while out for a... Read More
Your lovely fiancée has chosen her 'maids, and now you're... Read More
Just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't... Read More
This is something that we've started to send to all... Read More
One of the most joyous occasions in life is a... Read More
During a marriage crisis, you can feel like your whole... Read More
A wedding is one of the most special days planned... Read More
While you may be headed to Las Vegas for a... Read More
So your not one of those fabulous actresses or models... Read More
The relationship expert on i.village.com, I am the author of... Read More
One of the top priorities on a wedding day is... Read More
Wedding centerpieces help tie together the look of your entire... Read More
The more realistic you are as you prepare for marriage,... Read More
In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are... Read More
Your big day is now over all the stress of... Read More
You and the one you love are dreaming of an... Read More
Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not... Read More
So many couples are planning to have their wedding at... Read More
The most unique beach wedding reception ideas are sparked by... Read More
Just as there are a variety of wedding packages available,... Read More
Personalized wedding favors are among the most popular of gift... Read More
The big day is not all about the bride; the... Read More
My daughter and fiancé have finally set the "big day"... Read More
Every bride would agree that her wedding dress should be... Read More
"Couples who've had sex before marriage will inevitably have sexual... Read More
It really doesn't matter if you are planning to have... Read More
A 2005 mother of bride dress tends to have a... Read More
Biologically, a coupling between male and female (with some very... Read More
Let's face it, not many of us have the kind... Read More
So you've been in that perfect relationship for some time... Read More
It is the maid of honor's duty to organize the... Read More
The most important day of your life is drawing near... Read More
Celebrating under the attentive care of Bahamas honeymoon resorts, there... Read More
Bless the bride... and God help the video maker. True.... Read More
The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an... Read More
He ? or she ? asked, and you answered in... Read More
If you're looking to the internet for help with your... Read More
In marriages, many arguments and hurt feelings can be traced... Read More
You've made the plunge, you've decided to get married. Congratulations!Don't... Read More
Wedding favors are as unique and varied as the couples... Read More
Well you may not become a billionaire or even a... Read More
|