Considerations In Holding A Jewish And Interfaith Wedding

By Dennis Barnes


There are people who look to religion as a fount of their identity. That can be quite a wake up call for them once they find themselves being affianced to someone of dissimilar faith. If the couple is willing enough to brave the tempest, they would maybe have to go on and plan a jewish and interfaith wedding Orange County.

The world we are subsisting in today is undoubtedly hyper globalized. We are, each of us, living in a melting pot of traditions and cultures. And it isnt at all wondrous that one is likely to find a handful of denizens of different races, religions, affiliations, and cultures in the selfsame radius within a kilometer.

The realities of intermarriage have come a long way from the stereotypes of the past. These days, couples are no longer likely to be blackballed and ostracized. But thats not saying there are no more difficulties to contend with.

After all, theres still all the family dynamics to deal with and machinate. Although parents might be quite open and accepting with their childs choice of marriage, theres no saying they will be as lenient with the proposed upbringing of their grandchildren. After all, theyre also concerned about the grand scheme of things, in that theyre also factoring in the survival of the religion to posterity.

Suffice it to say that ones choice of a spouse is something that cant really be dictated by reason. This isnt to quote some schmaltzy tosh. Basically, if one is looking for a lifelong companion, values, compatibility, and stability are some of the foremost considerations, and if these premiums are some things you can find only in somebody from another religion, then the consequences are a no brainer.

Jewish wedding are particularly versatile in the choice of venues. It may be held in a synagogue, a non denominational chapel, a park, or even in someones home. Although traditional rabbinical codes were particularly outspoken against intermarriage, modern rabbis are actually quite partial to officiating weddings between Jews and non Jews. They would even deign to co officiate with some non Jewish pastor.

However, the traditional ostracism has ensured that not many laws and traditions were laid out for the actuality of intermarriage. For example, although some practices are not outlawed per se, theres all the conventionalism to consider. That is, one would know that co officiating can be quite an awkward business. Also, take care to smoothly collate, and therefore respect the traditions of both parties. In Judaism, for example, weddings do not at all take place on the Sabbath or Shabbat, that is, from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.

The couple would also have to compromise other great aspects of the wedding, from the processional, to the marriage rites, even the symbolic actions and pronouncements that grant or consider them as married. There is the type of clothing to take into account, as with the yarmulke, and even the symbolic wedding objects. All the need for singularities may extend all the way to the reception. Also, tactfully consider your guests, in that they may be uncomfortable with the other religious themes due to a sense of unfamiliarity, exclusion, and even persecution. Theres just no limit in the ways in which you can offend other people. Thats the sad fact in this overtly politically correct world.

There are many challenges to contend with in this enterprise. Theres religious and cultural assimilation, and perhaps disaffiliation, which can be hard on anyone. Not the least considerations are deciding what holidays to celebrate and traditions to honor. That might make your nuclear family different and unique from others, but its up to the resolution and tenacity of the couple whether to consider this a weakness or a strength.




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