A Rabbi's Wedding Rituals On Shabbat: Explained

Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is a day of rest and traditionally, Jewish custom has prohibited marriages on this day. This is because weddings are considered work, historically involving a monetary transaction and the signing of a legal contract. While contemporary Jews and Jewish movements may not view weddings as business transactions, most rabbis still maintain the custom of not officiating at weddings on these days. However, there are some rabbis who are willing to officiate weddings on Shabbat, and couples who wish to get married on this day can seek them out.

Shabbat is the holiest day of the Jewish week, and it outranks nearly all the holidays

The Jewish Sabbath, according to tradition, is the most holy day of the year—even more so than Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) or Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The Bible describes creation as happening in six days and on the seventh, God rested. God rests, people rest.

Jewish liturgy treats Shabbat as a "bride" and "queen" (see Shekhinah); some sources describe it as a "king". The Sefer Torah is read during the Torah reading, which is part of the Shabbat morning services, with a longer reading than during the week. The Torah is read over a yearly cycle of 54 parashioth, one for each Shabbat (sometimes they are doubled). On Shabbat, the reading is divided into seven sections, more than on any other holy day, including Yom Kippur.

The longstanding Jewish position is that the unbroken seventh-day Shabbat originated among the Jewish people as their first and most sacred institution. The origins of Shabbat and a seven-day week are not clear to scholars; the Mosaic tradition claims an origin from the Genesis creation narrative.

Judaism accords Shabbat the status of a joyous holy day. In many ways, Jewish law gives Shabbat the status of being the most important holy day in the Hebrew calendar. The punishment in ancient times for desecrating Shabbat (stoning) is the most severe punishment in Jewish law. In addition, the divine punishment for desecrating Shabbat, kareth (spiritual excommunication), is the most severe of divine punishments in Judaism.

Shabbat is a festive day when Jews exercise their freedom from the regular labours of everyday life. It offers an opportunity to contemplate the spiritual aspects of life and to spend time with family. The end of Shabbat is traditionally marked by a ritual called Havdalah, during which blessings are said over wine (or grape juice), aromatic spices, and light, separating Shabbat from the rest of the week.

Shabbat is a day of rest, and rabbis are preoccupied with leading worship, study, and servicing their communities

On Shabbat, rabbis are occupied with leading worship services and studying the Torah. They are engaged in spiritual and educational duties, guiding their communities in religious practices and teachings. This leaves little time for other activities, and officiating weddings is typically not considered appropriate during this sacred day.

Additionally, rabbis are dedicated to serving their communities. They provide support, counsel, and guidance to their congregants, who rely on them for spiritual leadership and pastoral care. This aspect of their role is particularly important, as it strengthens the bond between the rabbi and the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Furthermore, the day of rest is also an opportunity for rabbis to rest and recharge. Observing Shabbat is not just about leading worship but also about personal reflection and spiritual renewal. Rabbis need this time to reconnect with their faith and gain the strength to continue their service to others.

While some rabbis may be willing to officiate weddings on Shabbat, it is generally frowned upon due to the multiple commitments and responsibilities they carry on this day. The rabbis who choose not to perform weddings during Shabbat do so out of respect for the day's significance and to focus on their religious, educational, and communal duties.

The sanctity of Shabbat must be preserved, and rabbis observe the Sabbath in their own ways

Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is considered the holiest day of the Jewish week, outranking nearly all the holidays. It is a day of rest, and traditionally, Jews are prohibited from working on this day. This prohibition includes rabbis, who observe Shabbat in their own ways.

Historically, weddings were considered a form of work, as they involved a monetary transaction and the signing of a legal contract. As such, Rabbinic law prohibited weddings on Shabbat. While contemporary Jews and Jewish movements may not view weddings as legal business transactions, most rabbis maintain the custom of not officiating at weddings on these days.

One reason for this is the teaching that "we do not mix one simchah (happiness) with another". Additionally, the sanctity of Shabbat is considered so important that it takes precedence over the mitzvah of p'ru ur'vu (being fruitful and multiplying).

However, there are some rabbis who are willing to officiate weddings on Shabbat. For example, Rabbi Reeve Robert Brenner argues that the custom of not conducting weddings on Shabbat is a minhag (custom) that is no longer widely observed in many communities. He suggests that officiating at a Shabbat wedding can be an opportunity to connect with a young couple and their loved ones, especially those who might not otherwise be able to attend a wedding held on a different day.

Ultimately, the decision to officiate a wedding on Shabbat is a personal one for rabbis, and those who choose not to do so are exercising their right to observe Judaism according to their beliefs.

Weddings are not considered a mitzvah, so they are not an exception to the rule

Although contemporary Jews and Jewish movements may not view weddings as legal business transactions, most rabbis maintain the custom of not officiating at weddings during Shabbat. This is partly because the Rabbinic sages taught that weddings are not celebrated during Shabbat "because we do not mix one simchah (happiness) with another".

Additionally, the ketubah, or Jewish wedding contract, is considered a form of business transaction, which is forbidden during Shabbat. While the ketubah could theoretically be signed before Shabbat, it would require witnesses to watch the ceremony and sign the contract prior to the start of Shabbat on Friday evening.

Furthermore, the exchange of rings, which is common in most wedding ceremonies, may also be considered problematic during Shabbat. In Judaism, the ring exchanged from groom to bride is a condition listed in the traditional ketubah, where the groom acquires the bride in exchange for a promise of a dowry. As the ring acts as money during the exchange, it might be considered muksah, or something that is prohibited from being touched during Shabbat.

Overall, while there may be some flexibility in certain aspects of a wedding during Shabbat, the combination of these factors means that weddings are generally not considered an exception to the rule that Shabbat is a day of rest.

The ketubah, or Jewish wedding contract, is considered a business transaction, which is prohibited on Shabbat

The ketubah, or Jewish wedding contract, is a key component of a Jewish wedding. However, as it involves a monetary transaction and the signing of a legal contract, it is considered a form of work and, therefore, prohibited on Shabbat.

Historically, the ketubah included details of the dowry, such as goods and cash, and other financial considerations. While the content of the ketubah has evolved, and Reform Judaism now focuses on love, sacred bonds, and commitments without financial reference, the act of signing a contract is still considered a business transaction. As a result, most rabbis maintain the custom of not officiating at weddings on Shabbat, adhering to the strict interpretation of Jewish law that prohibits work on this day.

However, there are some rabbis who are willing to officiate weddings on Shabbat. Rabbi Reeve Robert Brenner, for example, argues that the custom of not conducting weddings on Shabbat is a habit or minhag, and that customs can change. He cites the example of Rabbi Isserles, a Polish Talmudist, who officiated a wedding on Shabbat due to economic considerations and sensitivity towards the bride. Additionally, Rabbi Brenner highlights the impact on Jewish caterers, photographers, and musicians if all Jewish weddings were postponed to Sundays, which could force some out of business.

While there may be rabbis who are open to performing weddings on Shabbat, it is important to respect the rabbis who choose not to, as it is an exercise of their right to observe Judaism according to their beliefs.

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