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Wedding Words

Answered by Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield

Question

What are the Hebrew and English wordings for a Halakhic marriage. “according to the law(s) of Moses” is the recolection I have.

Answer

You are close to the one which is said at a wedding! It is “Hari At Mikudeshes Li BTabas Zu KDas Moshe V’Yisrael,” which translates to “Behold, you are betrothed to me with this ring according to the laws of Moshe and Israel” The reason the statement includes the words “according to Moshe and Israel” is to stipulate at the time of marriage that this ceremony is being done according all laws enacted by the Rabbis.

Best Wishes,
Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield
Atlanta, GA

Follow-up question

Question

Where does it say in the Bible we are to wear wedding rings. I thought the sign of a married Jewish woman was that she wore a head covering.

Answer

It does not say that one must wear a wedding ring in the Torah. One of the ways to get married is for the man to give something of value to the woman and often a ring is used.

Best Wishes,
Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield
Atlanta GA