The Jewish Synagogue, Chapter 28 – Chapter 29
CHAP. XXVIII.
Of their Marriages.
COncerning theſe marriages it is to be noted, that at the handfaſting or celebration of the eſpouſals, or immediately upon the finiſhing thereof; many lews both young and old are called together into ſome ſpacious Arbour, every one of the younger ſort carrying a pot in his hand. Afterward comes one, and reads openly the Letter or Bill of contract; the Contents whereof are, That N. the son of N▪ and N. the daughter of N. have promiſed to marry and be married one to another. That the one will give unto the other ſuch and ſuch a dowry. That the nuptials are to be celebrated upon ſuch and ſuch a day; and that the party which doth not perform every condition and covenant, according to every part and parcel contained in the Letters of eſpouſal, is bound to pay unto the other fifty Florens. The Bill being ended, the parties to be married ſay one unto the other M…zal …ob, which is as much as God ſend you good fortune, which the young men hearing, throw their earthen pots upon the ground, and break them, ſaying, that it is a token of good luck, plenty, and abundance. The eſpouſals thus ended, every one departs the place, and is preſented at the door with a cup of the ſweeteſt wine, which alſo hath ſome confection annexed unto it, For eight dayes after, neither theThe Jews of ancient dayes had two ſorts of wives; the one called …aſhim' foreign: which according to Rabbi Juda which were married with a Bill of contract or ſolemn eſpouſals, whoſe children were heirs unto their fathers lands … goods. The others called Pelagſhim, Co…ines, or half-wives, not lawful wives or … of the hou…e; neither were their children heirs unto their fathers goods: derived from foreign Palag, to divide, and Iſha… a wife, a divided or half wife▪ The f…r ſort are derived either by the figure Ap…ſis, from foreign Anaſhim, by taking away the firſt and capital letter Aleph, … that the Man is the Womans … from foreign S…duxi…, to ſeduce, b…ſe ſhe deceived Adam, or from foreign … to forget; either that women …memory, or rather, that their fathers houſe in them is as it were extinct, and quite forgotten. Bride nor Bridegroom are ſeen without doors. Many youngſters and ſcriplings repair unto the Bridegroom to keep him company, where they paſſe away the time by the invention of many toyes and trifles, to recreate him, and make themſelves merry, quaffing and carouſing healths to his good fortune. The lawfulneſſe of the act they prove out of the Hiſtory of Sam…ſon, who being about to be married, had brought unto him thirty companious to be with him.
The dame Bride upon the day before the marriage▪ muſt waſh her ſelf in cold water from top to toe, ſo that her whole body be hid in the water. She is led to the Bath, and likewiſe back again, by an attendance of gagling women, making a certain confuſed noiſe as they go and return: to the end that every one may ſee and know that ſhe is a Bride.
The Girdle which the Bride ſends to the Bridegroom ought to have ſilver ſtuds: but that which he ſends unto her, ought to have thoſe which are of gold. A Iew upon a certain time to ſatisfie me in my requeſt, gave me the reaſon hereof, to wit, that the ſilver repreſented the ſeed of the man, which is white: the gold the ſeed of the woman, which is red: a frivolous and fooliſh reaſon, as the moſt of their others are.
Upon the day whereon the Bride is to be led into the Synagogue to receive a bleſſing, ſhe puts on her wedding garments, decking, trimming, and dreſſing her ſelf in the Iewiſh faſhion, as finely as ſhe can poſſibly: ſhe being ready dreſſed, ſhe is led along by her Maids and Damoſels, who ſing Marriage Songs, and Bridal-Ballads, bringing her into a certain chamber or cloſet, and placing her in a rich and coſtly Chair, where they comb her head, truſs up her locks, deck her with Fillets, adorn her with Ribbands, beautifie her with Garlands, put a vail over her face, and that for modeſties ſake, as Rebeckah did when ſhe was to meet her husband Iſaac.
While the women are combing her head, they expreſſe a great deal of mirth and jollity, skipping, ſinging, laughing, dancing, and all to keep the ſpleen of Dame Bride from overflowing with melancholy, which they are conceited to be a work moſt grateful and acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. And that the women may more eaſily believe it, the impudent Rabbines in their Talmud do affirm, that God did the like to Eve, when ſhe was to be given to Adam, plaiting her hair, dreſſing her head and locks, and alſo did ſing, foot it, and dance with her in Paradiſe: which they ſtrive to prove out of the words of Moſes, Gen, 2. 22.And he brought her unto Adam, as though he had brought her skipping, and leading the dance, as a Bride is now wont to be brought to her husband, trimmed, and compleatly dreſſed, with her hair tyred, and locks truſſed up. It is recorded alſo in Pirk Eliezer, that God attended upon Adam and Eve like a Serving-man while the marriage was in finiſhing, and that he made the Canopie with his own hands under which they were to receive the bleſſing: that the Angels became the Minſtrels, playing divers tunes upon Trumpets,Tract. Medah c. 5. p. 45. Gen▪ 2. 22. Pipes, and other inſtruments that Adam, Eve, and God himſelf might dance. In this balſphemous manner writes he that is the Author of that book called Bricum Spigelium, printed ſome few years ago at Cracovia in Poland, the German tongue and Hebrew letter: which book contains many reprehenſo…y and moral precepts, and is of great esteem among the Iews at this day. I finde it regiſtred in the Talmud, that God only made treſſes for Eve, which they prove out of thoſe words, and God built, which the Rabbines read plaited; and hence the Iews at this day call the plaits of a womans hair Biniaſ…, which in Engliſh ſignifies a building, from the Hebrew word Banah, which ſignifies to build: which ſignification Moſes alſo gives unto it, when he ſaith, The Rib which the Lord God had taken from man, thereof he built Signifying, that mankind was perfect when the woman was created, which before was like an unperfect building. Or rather, becauſe the women build their husbands an houſe, as Rachel and Leah built the houſ of Iſrael, Ruth the laſt.a wom…n and brought her to Adam. Which, the Rabbines being Commentators, muſt carry this ſenſe: that God pla…ted Eves hair, and brought her unto Adam, leaping and dancing as he came along. Surely if there were but the leaſt ſparke of true knowledge, they would bluſh and be aſhamed to utter theſe blaſphemous ſayings before the world, but God in his juſt judgment hath ſmitten them with blindneſs, that ſeeing they will not ſee, and hearing they will not underſtand. We leave them therefore an return to our matter.
The time being come when the bleſſing due unto the married couple is to be given unto them,bChuppah a cover, arbor or ſuch like, from the Hebrew root foreign which ſignifies to cover or hide. foure boyes take the Canopie which is faſtened to foure poſts and wooden pillars, and carry it into the ſtreet or garden where the ſolemnity is to be kept: whither the bridegroom comes, being attended with many men following him at his heels. After him followes the bride and her damſels, with ſackbuts, timbrels, and other muſical inſtruments, ſeating her ſelf by her ſpouſe under the Canopie. This Canopie they call by the name of Chuppah which ſignifies a cover or ſhelter. When every man and woman there preſent have taken their places, then every one begins to cry out Baruch habba, Bleſſed is he that cometh. Which ſaid, the Bride being led by others is to compaſs and circle about her bridegroom three ſeveral times, as a Cock doth when he is about to tread a hen, becauſe it is ſaid,Jer. 31. 22. A woman ſhall compaſs a man. Then the bridegroom takes his bride and leads her once about the floore in a circle, the people in the mean time caſting wheat or other grain upon the bride and ſaying,Gen. 1. 28. encreaſe and multiply: hereby ſignifying that peace and abundance of riches in houſekeeping ſhall befall them,Psal. 147. 14▪ according to that of the Pſalmiſt, He maketh peace in thy borders, an filleth thee with the flower of wheat. In ſome places they mingle mony among their wheat, which the poorer ſort gather for their own relief. The Bride is to ſtand upon the right hand of the Bridegroom, becauſe it is written,Psal. 45. 10▪ Kings daughters were among thy honourable women, at thy right hand did ſtand the Bride in a v…ſture of golde. She muſt turn her face towards the South, becauſe it is a tradition of the Rabbines, that whoſoever placeth his bed in that manner, that he lying there in his face ſhall be towards the South, not towards the North, ſhall be the father of many children.
The Rabbine who marries and joynes them together in the bond of matrimony,Tallith foreign a cloak or hairy garment Gen. 25. Rabbi Solomon ſaith that it is a litle cloak peculiar to the Jews, which they uſed in time of prayer from foreign obtegere to hide or cover. Ruth. 3. 9. Ezek. 16. 8. takes the skirt of the hair-cloth or garment, by them called Tallith (a) which the Bridegroom wears about his neck, and puts it upon the head of the Bride; which is occaſioned by that ſaying of Ruth to Boaz, Spread the wing of thy garment over thy …andmaid for thou art the kinſman, and that of Ezekiel: I paſſed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold thy time was as the time of love, and I ſpread my skirts over thee, and covered thy filthineſs: yea I ſware unto thee, and entred into a Covenant with thee, and thou becameſt mine.
In the next place he takes a glaſs of wine, which they call (the bride-boule) bleſſeth it, giving thanks unto God that the Bride and the Bridegroom by his inſtinct, have given their conſent to be joyned together in the bond of matrimony, and reaching out the cup unto them, commands them to drink thereof. If the Bride be a virgin, then the cup muſt have a narrow mouth, if a widow a large one, at Wormes they uſe an earthen cup, as alſo at other places. After that they have both taſted of the cup, The Rabbine takes the wedding-ring from the Bridegroom which is made of pure gold, yet having no jewel in it, and calling ſome witneſſes ſhews them the ring, and asketh whether it be a good one, and worth the mony that was given for it; and then puts it upon the Brides finger, repeating the letters of contract with a loud voice. Which being ended, he takes another glaſs of wine, bleſſing and praying over it, giving thanks unto God that the Bride and Bridgroom had mutually accepted one of another. Then reaching them the Cup and bidding them drink thereof, which when they have done accordingly, the Bridegroom takes the Cup and throws it againſt the wall in remembrance of the ruinated temple of Jeruſalem. In ſome places they are wont to throw aſhes upon the Bridegrooms head for the ſame end and purpoſe. And hence alſo it comes to paſs, that the Bridegroom wears upon his head a hood of a black colour, ſuch an one as mourners uſe: and the Bride a cloak all rough and hairy, able to fright a childe out of its wits, to ſhew unto us that in their greateſt jollity they ought to afflict and humble themſelves for the deſ…lations of their City and Temple. Thus they walk in garments which may ſhaddow out much ſadneſs, but in their hearts they have not ſance not feeling thereof. Proving the neceſſity of this trifling outſide ſorrow from the words of the Pſalmiſt,Pſal. 2. 11. Serve the Lord in fear, and rejoyce unto him with reverence.
That this their marriage or coupling together is celebrated abroad in open aire without covert, the reaſon is becauſe they ought to multiply even as the ſtars of heaven for multitude. When the marriage is ended they ſit down to dinner, the Bridgroom muſt ſay grace, and is bound to ſing a long prayer and thankſgiving: and the ſweeter he ſings the better he pleaſeth his bride, and indeed he doth it rather out of pride and to pleaſe her, then for any glory to God. While he is ſinging, others are calling for the hens to be brought and ſet upon the table. The Brides meſs conſiſts of an henn and egge ſerved in together in one diſh. the Bridegroom carves a little of the hen and gives it to his bride: which ſo soon as he hath laid upon her trencher, the reſt of the gueſts behaving themſelves more like hungry dogs then men, catching at, and with both hands pulling in pieces the hens before them, devour them in a moment. He that can get moſt being accounted the worthieſt man at the table. Every one eats what he catches without help of either knife or trencher, he that hath firſt done begins to ſnatch what he can from his fellow: yea ſomtimes out of his very mouth, cauſing thereby a great deal of fooliſh ſtirr and much laughter; and all this they doe to make the new-married couple marry and jocund.
The egge which we ſaid is uſed to be ſerved in together with the hen is alwayes raw, which they are wont to caſt one at anothers face, not ſparing a ſtranger of Chriſtian if he be invited and there preſent. The foreſaid egge is set before the Bride to comfort her, and let her know that ſhe ſhall bring forth her children eaſily, without pain and grief: even as a hen bringeth forth an egge, with that eaſe that ſhe expreſſeth it by her cockling voice of joy and gladneffe. After theſe ſports and childiſh fooleries, they fall to feaſt their bellies in good earneſt. after dinner they dance many Giggs, and Capering Currantos, an when they are about to depart and to put a period to theſe nuptial ſports, dance a dance called Mitzuah, The commandment, or marriage pavin, becauſe it was commanded by God himſelf.
This they dance in this manner, the chief man at the table takes the Bridegroom by the hand, he another, and ſo every one his fellow, even ſo many as have any skill in dancing, takes one another by the hand. So likewiſe the chief mation and moſt honourable woman in the company joynes hands with the Bride, and all the reſt one with another. Dancing hand in hand and making a great noiſe with their feet, and in this manner put an end to their marriage rites and ſports: which commonly endure for the ſpace of eight dayes together. If the marriage day chance upon the Sabbath, then their dancing meaſures are quite out of meaſure, thinking that thereby they honour the Sabbath in an extraordinary kinde, becauſe the Sabbath is called a ſpouſe as we formerly declared. A great care muſt be had that no uncircumciſed Chriſtian be invited to the marriage, for Solomon saith, The heart knowes the bitterneſs of his ſoule, and a ſtranger (that is a Chriſtian) ſhall not be made partaker of his joy, thus wreſting the Scripture to a ſenſe clean contrary.
Moreover, they write that the Angels ſeeing the Chriſtians at their marriages do preſently depart, and devils enter the place, doing much dammage, in ſtirring up ſtrife, brawlings, jarrings, ſlips and falls, breaking armes and ſhins, murther, and what not. Hence we may ſee how willingly they ſuffer Chriſtians to be preſent at their marriages.
When they pledge a health they ſay, Lochajim tobhim, God grant it may be for your health; but if they like not the man who drinks to them, as a Chriſtian, by the foreſaid words they underſtand an imprecation or curſe. Relalah, for this one word in their Cabbaliſtical computation comprehends the two former: willing hereby to ſhew that they wiſh he may drink his laſt: many ſuch machinations and imprecations they plot and powre out againſt the Chriſtians, of which in another place; I will only here adde a Copy of the marriage bill, or letter of contract, which I finde drawen in manner and form following.
Upon the ſixth day of the week,The dowry bill. the fourth of the monethmonth Sivan in the year five thouſand two hundred fifty and fourth year of the Creation of the world, according to the computation which we uſe here at Maſſilia, a city which is ſituate near the ſea ſhore, the Bridegroom Rabbi Moſes the ſon of Rabbi Jehudah ſaid unto the Bride Clavona, the daughter of Rabbi david, the ſon of Rabbi Moſes and citizen of Lizbon; Be unto me a wife according to the law of Moſes and Iſraell; and I according to the word of God, will worſhip, honour, maintain, and govern thee according to the manner of the husbands among the Jews, which do worſhip, honour, maintain, and govern their wives faithfully. I alſo do beſtow upon thee the dowry of thy virginity, two hundred deniers in ſilver, which belong unto thee by the Law, and mor…over thy food, thy apparrel and sufficient neceſſaries, as likewiſe the knowledg of thee, according to the cuſtome of all the earth.
CHAP. XXIX.
Touching the bill of divorce uſed among the Jews.
I … is an eſtabliſhed truth, that the Jews had a certain indulgence granted by Moſes for their divorcements; for from the begining it was not ſo, neither was it Gods ordinance; but Moſes did it fo… the hardneſs of their heart,Matth. 6. 19. and to avoid ſome greater inconvenience: as Chriſt hath clearly ſhewed unto u… in the new teſtament.Tract. Gittin. There is extant in the Talmud a voluminous tract concerning the divorce now in uſe among them, upon which many other of the Rabbines have written many ſubtle and divers Commentaries: and in them have laid down many cauſes for which the ſtrongeſt bond of Matrimony may be broke in pieces.
The cauſes pretended by the Jews at this time, were the ſame that were urged when our Saviour Chriſt was here on earth, ſo that the husband can quickly take occaſion of ſeperation, from his wife, and eaſily finde a ſtaf…e to beat the dog withall.
The bill of divorce ought to be written in a peculiar forme, the lines whereof muſt not exceed or be fewer then the number of twelve. This ought alſo to be delivered unto the woman in the preſence of three faithful witneſſes, being ſigned and ſealed in the preſence of them. When the huſband gives this letter unto his wife, he muſt ſay in expreſs terms, behold O woman the bill of divorce, for by this thou being divorced from me, art permitted to marry to any other man, the form of this bill followeth.
Ʋpon ſuch a day of the week, and ſuch and ſuch of the monethmonth.The bill of divorce. In the Latine Copy the bill was imperfect, I have therefore corrected it according to that in Moſes Ko…ſinſos f. 133. N. Such or ſuch a year of the creation of the world, according to the computation which we uſe here in this City. N. Situate neer the River N. I of the Country N. the ſon of Rabbi N. now dwelling in ſuch or ſuch a place, neer ſuch or ſuch a river, have deſired of mi…e free will without any coaction, and have divorced, diſmiſſed, and caſt out thee my wife, N. of the Country N. the daughter of Rabbi N. dwelling in ſuch or ſuch a Country, and dwelling now in ſuch or ſuch a place, ſituate neer ſuch or ſuch a River, which haſt been my wife heretofore, but now I doe divorce thee, diſmiſs thee, and caſt thee out, that thou mayeſt be free and have the rule of thy ſelf, to depart and to marry with any other man whom thou wilt; and let no man be refuſed by thee for me, from this forward for ever. Thus be thou lawful for any man, and this ſhall be to thee from me a bill of ſeparation, a bill of divorce, and a letter of diſmiſſion
According to the law of Moſes And Iſrael
N. the ſon of N. witneſs
N. the ſon of N. witneſs
N. the ſon of N. witneſs.
This kinde of divorce is not in every place put in execution, they chuſe a place of ſome fame and note neer adjoyning ſome notable River, whither fome of the chief Rabbines are cited by a writ, if ſome others be not there reſident. The Jews are very much for this carnal divorce, writing vaſt volumes in way of Commentary upon it; but by reaſon of the hardneſs of their heart, not once dreaming of the ſpiritual, whereby they are ſevered from the Lord of hoſts. Hence remaining aliens from God, and according to their deſert vagabonds over the face of the whole earth.