The Marriage Ceremony in Early Medieval Ashkenaz

Abstract

This article examined the marriage procedures prevalent in Mainz and other places in eleventh century Ashkenaz. Marriages took place on the Sabbath, as in Christian society, where weddings were held on holidays and days of rest. The ketubah was written on Friday in order to prepare for the wedding. Marriage during this period was not a symbolic ritual but a tangible act of sexual intercourse. Accordingly, a festive meal was held during which the couple consummated the marriage. Since the betrothal took place in a limited social circle, the betrothal blessing was recited toward the end of the Sabbath in the framework of a public, festive ceremony. After verification of the bride’s virginity, which meant she was eligible to receive the ketubah, the marriage blessings were recited on Saturday night and the ketubah became legally binding.