About Jewish Interfaith Wedding LA

By Frank Price


A soulmate at the best of times is hard to find but sometimes not the case in Los Angeles, California. Because of the many chat groups and dating sites on the Internet or World Wide Web it is not too difficult and not uncommon to find couples in a Jewish Interfaith Wedding LA. When this happens, couples may find it overwhelming in deciding how and what they would like their special day to be.

Most Rabbis or Our Teacher as it is translated, will want to help out in weddings of interfaith as this goes against their belief system. They are the spiritual leaders of their congregations and adhere to the strict letter of the Torah Law as it has been laid down for centuries. It is written that a man may marry another Jewess and not someone from outside the faith.

However there are ways to circumvent these traditions and overcome the problem of two people wanting to be together for eternity. It takes some investigation and this is not so difficult having the Internet at hand and liaising with others who have travelled the same route. A judge is one way of skipping the traditional methods but some may want to include customs with either Jewish flavour or other non-jewish customs. It is all up to the couple.

It stands to reason especially when delving a little deeper as to why Rabbis will not officiate at an interfaith celebration. A groom, during the ceremony, has to recite words that have been handed down through the centuries. He must say that he is betrothed to the woman in accordance with the law of Moses and of Israel. Obviously this can still be included if the couple so wishes even at a non religious wedding.

This obviously cannot be said at an interfaith wedding where a Rabbi is officiating a kosher or permissible ceremony according to Law. So it is with this in mind that some other vehicle is found to perform this duty on their special day. With this in mind, a lot of research can be done quite easily on the Internet as to what a couple would like included or excluded.

Some other traditions that may be included are ones that have been with the faith since time immemorial. One of these is the Sheva Brachot or Seven Blessings as it is translated. These are said during the wedding service whilst the community or attendees respond with Amen. They can be left out but it is always nice especially if wanting to have a ceremony with a Jewish flavour.

Interfaith marriages are not uncommon and can be found in most religious denominations. In Judaism, this was unlikely centuries ago as couple were matched either by their parents or with a go between or marriage person known as a Shatgan. This is still custom in mainstream Judaism where couples are matched and dates set to see if they are compatible or not.

There existed a member of the community who is and was called a Shatgan. This person together with the parents would choose suitable matches for their children. So they were organised marriages unlike today.




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