JEWISH-INTERFAITH CEREMONY
OPENING PRAYER:
Let us go into prayer now as we close our eyes, resting in the quietness and the goodness within.
Shamah yisrael adonai elohenu adonai echad ... Baruch sheim kavod mahlchootov lei'olam va'ed
(Here O Israel the lord our G-d, the lord is one ... Blessed be his glorious name forever.)
We give thanks to the Beloved Mystery of Life as it weaves the spirit of love throughout every heart, body and mind within this gathering. May the blending of our hearts prepare us to remember the truth of Oneness as we bear witness to the sacred ceremony of marriage. May the radiance of joy on this special day, overflow with peace and harmony throughout the rest of _________ & _________ life together as husband & wife. And may this peace & harmony continue to expand, bringing joy to their families and friends and to all others who enter their home and circle of life. ...
THE GREETING:
_________ and _________, we are gathered together this day to celebrate, support and share in the joy of your union together as husband and wife. A wedding is a celebration of a man and a woman entering the divine mystery of oneness as they sanctify their partnership through the "the Spirit of Aloha" ... the Spirit of Love.
This ceremony is an invitation to encounter the extraordinary in the midst of ordinary life. As our consciousness is elevated from the mundane to the sacred, we are transported into an intimate communion with the presence of the Divine. Hence marriage is one of the most precious occasions in life when we are presented with a profound opportunity to enter the timeless dimension of Love as it descends into the world of time. It emphasizes and reminds us that our lives have meaning and purpose beyond the day to day affairs of worldly life and that Love is the strongest bond, the greatest joy and the sweetest nourishment we can ever experience.
READING: (Optional)
In traditional Jewish literature 'marriage' is actually called kiddushin, which translates as "sanctification" or "dedication." "Sanctification," indicates that what is happening is not just a social arrangement or contractual agreement, but a spiritual bonding and the fulfillment of a mitzvah, a Divine precept. "Dedication," indicates that the couple now have an exclusive relationship, that involves total dedication of the bride and groom to each other, to the extent of them becoming, as it is stated in the Kabbalah, "one soul in two bodies."
THE EXCHANGE OF LEIS: (Optional)
In Hawaii we exchange leis as a symbol of embracing one another in love. The leis was originally created as a means of bringing healing herbs and flowers from the mountains to villages on the sea. Over the passage of time this ring of beautiful flowers has come to symbolize affection and respect between two people. In Hawaiian tradition, the head and shoulders of an individual are considered to be sacred. Therefore, the placing of a lei is an expression of great honor toward the one to whom the lei is given. You may now present your leis. It is also traditional to include a kiss upon both cheeks.
THE DECLARATION of Intent & Vows:
Minister: Before we come to the exchange of vows, I will ask each of you your intent.
Groom: _________, will you unconditionally accept this woman to be your wife? Will you devote your life to loving her, nourishing her and honoring her uniqueness? Will you nurture her in sickness and support her in health for as long as you both shall live? If so, please say "I do" or "I will".
Bride: _________, will you unconditionally accept this woman to be your wife? Will you devote your life to loving her, nourishing her and honoring her uniqueness? Will you nurture her in sickness and support her in health for as long as you both shall live? If so, please say "I do" or "I will".
Minister: __________, please repeat after me the following words ...
Groom: Today, _________, I join my life to yours as your beloved life partner, most intimate friend and confidant. I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years to come. With you I will walk the path of love and devotion forevermore!
Minister: __________, please repeat after me the following words ...
Bride: Today, _________, I join my life to yours as your beloved life partner, most intimate friend and confidant. I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years to come. With you I will walk the path of love and devotion forevermore!
THE BLESSING OF RINGS:
As G-d is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere, so let the seamless circle of these rings become a symbol of the timeless dimension of Unconditional Love. May the presence of these rings continue to remind you of the eternal love and devotion you are to share with one another from this moment onwards. May the beauty and perfection of these rings remind you of the beauty of your togetherness and the perfection of this union you are sanctifying in this perfect moment.
THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS:
Minister: _________, please place this ring on _________'s finger & repeat after me:
Groom: "With this ring,... I thee wed ... I pledge my love,... my loyalty,... and my life to you. May this ring remind you of our oneness, now and always."
Minister: _________, please place this ring on _________'s finger & repeat after me:
Bride: "With this ring,... I thee wed ... I pledge my love,... my loyalty,... and my life to you. May this ring remind you of our oneness, now and always."
BREAKING OF THE GLASS:
We conclude this ceremony with the breaking of the glass. There are many different explanations for the breaking of the glass, but today ... through the ceremony of this marriage, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer . . .
May your bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of this glass.
After the glass is broken, we will all shout together "Mazel Tov," which means in Hebrew "Good Luck" and "Congratulations."
THE PRONOUNCEMENT:
_________ & _________ you have been guided by the Lord to discover in one another an oasis of love. You have exchanged precious rings, proclaimed vows of love, devotion and faithfulness and now have finally entered into the sacred covenant of marriage.
By the authority vested in me in the state of Hawaii, it gives me great Joy to pronounce you husband and wife.
You may now kiss your Beautiful Bride.
For the very first time I would like to present _________ & _________ _____________, husband and wife.
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