Marriage (Nisuin)
Marriage - Nisuin is the completion of the Kiddushin acquisition and is part of the mitzvah of Pru U'Revu (being fruitful and multiplying).
The act of Nisuin is done through a "Chuppah" (except when marrying one's Yevama). There is a dispute among the Rishonim about what constitutes the Chuppah - whether it's the recitation of the Sheva Brachos or the Yichud room.
Even someone whose wife passed away after having children is obligated according to halacha to marry another woman, since "it is not good for man to be alone" and from the mitzvah of "in the evening do not rest your hand." Some are concerned this might create distance between them and the children from their previous wife, but the Rebbe did not accept these concerns, and quite the opposite.
Yichud Room edit
After the Chuppah, the Chosson and Kallah enter a closed room and stay there together for a certain amount of time, without other people present. The custom is to place a silver spoon at the entrance of the room. The Rebbe once expressed that it's a segulah for the Chosson to be the master of his home if he enters the Yichud room first, and if he forgets to enter first, then when they arrive at the couple's apartment after the wedding, the Chosson should enter first.
Sheva Brachos edit
Sheva Brachos (also called Marriage Blessings or Chosson's Blessings) are blessings recited at the wedding ceremony and during the seven days of celebration following the wedding, after Birkas Hamazon when certain conditions are met. It is customary to hold festive meals every evening in the week following the wedding and recite the Sheva Brachos at their conclusion. These meals are called 'Sheva Brachos.' The seven days of celebration themselves are also called 'Sheva Brachos.'
The Future Era (L'asid Lavo) edit
In the first stage of the Geulah, the principle of "the world continues as usual" will apply to marriage as well, as the prophet states: "There will yet be heard in the cities of Yehudah... the voice of a Chosson and the voice of a Kallah." However, at a more advanced stage of the Geulah, after Techiyas Hameisim, there may be changes, as stated in Masechta Brachos: "In the World to Come there is no eating, drinking, or procreation, rather the tzaddikim sit with their crowns on their heads and enjoy the radiance of the Shechinah." According to most commentators[1], this refers to the world after Techiyas Hameisim. Therefore, if there will be no procreation, there will apparently be no need for marriage. However, the Rambam's opinion is that the Gemara refers to Gan Eden, where there are no physical phenomena. But after Techiyas Hameisim there will be marriage. According to the Rambam's view, there is a discussion whether every husband and wife who arise in Techiyas Hameisim will need to marry again, since their death severed their connection, or if the Kiddushin from before Techiyas Hameisim will remain valid after resurrection.
The Chida discusses a similar case regarding whether someone who died and was subsequently brought back to life by a Navi or Tzaddik needs to perform Kiddushin again with his wife[2]. The Chida concludes that this type of death is not a regular death, and therefore the woman remains betrothed to her husband. From his words, it appears that a regular death does permit the widow to remarry, nullifies the original Kiddushin, and even if the woman didn't remarry, the original Kiddushin is not valid after Techiyas Hameisim. However, there are those who disagree and maintain that unlike divorce, death is not considered an action that severs Kiddushin, but rather a state of being, where as long as the spouse doesn't exist, his wife is permitted to marry someone else. Therefore, as long as the wife didn't remarry and her husband returns after Techiyas Hameisim, the original Kiddushin remains valid and there's no need to perform new Kiddushin.
See Also edit
- Wedding Invitation
- Shabbos Chosson
- Kabalas Ponim
- The Rebbe Shlita's Wedding
- Marriage Age
- Wedding
Additional Reading edit
- Advice and Guidance for Happy Married Life, an English book containing practical tips, advice, and guidance to achieve peace and joy in Jewish married life, from the Rebbe's talks and writings. The book was written by R. L. Kremnitzer and is distributed by Vaad Sichos in English.
- Shlomo Raskin, Small Message for a Big Event, a collection of ideas and explanations for different stages of the wedding process
- Collection of Sayings Regarding Wedding