SEE THE HOLY LANDS WITH DANIEL RONA

HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #31
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder

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(1.) Similarities of Jewish and LDS Marriage Customs:
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The ritual of marriage in Judaism is considered without end; there is
no statement, "Until death do you part." The canopy or huppah is
reflective of the ancient temple, often made of a tallith, the
garment that reminds a Jew of the covenants and commandments he has
bound to himself. A minyan or
"prayer circle" is formed at the marriage, there are two witnesses,
men are separated from women on two sides of the room or hall, head
covering is required and blessings are given to the bride and groom.
Where polygamy was once accepted, it later was rescinded.

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(2.) Marriage between a Man and a Woman:
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". . . Marriage is considered the ideal human state and a basic
social institution established by God at the time of Creation. Both
the Bible and the rabbis reject celibacy as unnatural and harmful to
the human personality, and insist upon the need for marriage, not
only for purposes of procreation, but also for companionship and
human self-fulfillment: `It is not good that man be alone; I will
make a help meet for him' (Genesis 2:15) and `He who has no wife is
not a proper man; he lives without joy, blessing and goodness.'"
(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(3.) Two Marriage Ceremonies Combined into One:
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A Jewish similarity can be seen of an LDS secular and religious
marriage combined. "A Jewish marriage consists, from the point of
view of rabbinic law, of two separate acts, called kiddushin and
nissu'in, which were originally performed at an interval of a year or
more apart, but which from the 12th century onward became united in
one ceremony." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(4.) Jews Bury in the Garment They Marry in:
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In some Jewish circles, a special garment is worn in remembrance of
repentance and represents the purity of the covenant of marriage. It
is also used to clothe the dead. It is called the Kitel in Yiddish
meaning "gown" or garment. "In Ashkenazi tradition . . . the groom,
too, stands under the canopy wearing his white kitel, or robe, over
his wedding finery. They pray that their past sins will be
forgiven . . . the white of their clothing symbolizes the purity and
the forgiveness of sin for which they are hoping. For this reason a
similar garment is used to clothe the dead for burial" (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)

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(5.) Sexual Sacredness:
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The holiness of marriage is a major part of the beliefs of both the
Jews and the Mormons. "The primary restriction of sexual activity in
Jewish law is that it should take place within marriage, as an
expression of love between husband and wife as well as out of a
desire to fulfill God's commandments. An element of holiness is
added by the laws of niddah (separation during the period of
menstruation; which ensure that the couple does not indulge in sex on
impulse but rather directs the act to holiness." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.) Marriage is one of the greatest covenants God has given
to man. The sanctity of marriage in evident in the Bible. The
traditions of both Jews and Latter-day Saints similarly uphold the
precious responsibilities and blessings of this covenant.