Summary Lesson 31: “Jewish & Mormon Marriages, Forever?”

LDS Marriage, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel

The ritual of marriage in Judaism is considered without end; with no statement, “Until death do you part.” The canopy or Huppah is reflective of the ancient temple, often made of a Tallit, the religious garment that reminds a Jew of the covenants and commandments he has bound to himself. A minyan or “prayer circle” is formed at the marriage, there are two witnesses, men are separated from women on two sides of the room or hall, head covering is required and blessings are given to the bride and groom. In addition to the Huppah, many Jewish marriages have another Tallit draped over the couples.

“. . . Marriage is considered the ideal human state and a basic social institution established by God at the time of Creation. Both the Bible and the rabbis reject celibacy as unnatural and harmful to the human personality, and insist upon the need for marriage, not only for purposes of procreation, but also for companionship and human self-fulfillment: ‘It is not good that man be alone; I will make a help meet for him’ (Genesis 2:15) and ‘He who has no wife is not a proper man; he lives without joy, blessing and goodness.'” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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There is a custom that some religious Jews follow that the couple’s first intimacy, there first kiss, will be under the wedding Tallit, under the Huppah. “In Ashkenazi tradition . . . the groom, too, stands under the canopy wearing his white kitel, or robe, over his wedding finery. They pray that their past sins will be forgiven . . . the white of their clothing symbolizes the purity and the forgiveness of sin for which they are hoping. For this reason a similar garment is used to clothe the dead for burial” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) For those using a Tallit for the Huppah and another one over the bride and groom, they will keep them, so ultimately, they can be buried in the garments they were married in.

The holiness of marriage is a major part of the beliefs of both the Jews and the Mormons. “The primary restriction of sexual activity in Jewish law is that it should take place within marriage, as an expression of love between husband and wife as well as out of a desire to fulfill God’s commandments. An element of holiness is added by the laws of niddah (separation during the period of menstruation; which ensure that the couple does not indulge in sex on impulse but rather directs the act to holiness.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Marriage is one of the greatest covenants God has given to man. The sanctity of marriage in evident in the Bible. The traditions of both Jews and Latter-day Saints similarly uphold the precious responsibilities and blessings of this covenant.

Marriage is one of the greatest covenants God has given to man. The sanctity of marriage in evident in the Bible. The traditions of both Jews and Latter-day Saints similarly uphold the precious responsibilities and blessings of this covenant, forever.