Jewish Wedding Ring Tradition

Submitted by Shahar Geva on Tue, 10/13/2015 - 08:37

The beautiful ceremony of tying the knot, the ultimate show of love and dedication between two glowing newlyweds, that beautiful moment when their life threads are twined together on that perfect day, the wedding day, could not be complete without a shiny Jewish wedding ring that means that they are married. But what is a Jewish wedding ring? What makes it so special? The meaning and customs behind the traditional wedding ring part of the ceremony are surprisingly old, and very deep. The roots or the tradition of the wedding ring are in Jewish history, and it is certainly interesting to know the meaning behind it all before doing it yourself.

Jewish Wedding Rings

This special ring has a number of meanings instilled in it. Circular in shape and smooth, free of gems or other decorations, it represents a dedicated marriage, unmarred by conflict or distraction. Wearing a wedding ring is a symbol of the couple’s love and commitment to each other that is visible to the rest of the world. But besides those sweet meanings, it has a very important purpose too, and is crucial in the ceremony of the betrothal of the couple during the wedding. The betrothal ceremony promises the two to each other and nobody else, but is not the marriage itself. It used to be practiced a year before the wedding, to allow for planning time but because it halachically ties the two together, it is very complicated to break off in the event that they decide to marry, which is why it is now celebrated right before the marriage itself, at the wedding. The engagement is not halachically binding, as it is informal and without the ring ceremony.

The Jewish ring should belong to the groom before the marriage and is then presented to the bride under the Chupa; then they are betrothed to each other. It has to have some value and must be gold or silver, and after that is determined, the groom puts the ring on the bride’s right pointer finger (she can move it to another finger later) thus completing the ring ceremony.

The rings available on israel-catalog.com are gold, silver, or both, and are special in that they add even more special meaning into the ring, engraving your choice of phrase into the ring, phrases from the Jewish writings and bible. Their designs stay simple but are pretty and dignified and they are very unique and special choices for rings for that special day, Here are the available phrases to put on your personalized, hand made wedding ring.

Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li (I am to my Beloved and my Beloved Mine), Song Of Solomon 6:3

Ahavat Olam Ahavtich (Love You With An Ever Lasting Love), Jeremiah 31:3

Ba’asher Telchi Elech (Where You Will Go I Shall Go), Ruth 1:16

Eshet Chail Mi Imtza ( A Woman Of Valour, Who will Find?), Proverbs 31:10

Ze Dodi V’ze Re’ei (This is my Beloved and this is My Friend), Song of Solomon 5:16

Matzati Et Sheahava Nafshi (I Found Him Whom My Soul Loves), Song of songs 4:3

btach el adonai bechol libcha (Trust in the Lord with all your heart), Proverbs 3:5

yevarechecha adonai veyishmerecha (The Lord bless you and keep you), Numbers 6:24

adonai roi lo echsar, (The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want), Psalms 23:1

Adonai ori v’yishi (The Lord is my light and my salvation), Psalms 27:1

yadati machshevet aleichem, (For I know the thoughts that I think toward you), Jeremiah 29:11

Gam Ze Ya’avor (This Too Shall Pass)

HaAhava Hi Mekor HaChaim (Love is the Source of Life)

Mi L’Adonai Elai (Who is For The Lord? Join Me)

Simeni Kechotam Al Libcha (Like a Seal Over Your Heart)

Tihiye Nafshi Keshura Benafshech (Let My Soul be Joined with Yours)

If you bought a wedding ring from israel-catalog.com, and enjoy it, feel free to post pictures of yours in the comments section! We’d love to see!

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