Jewish Wedding Bands

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Mazel Tov on the Engagement! Now it’s time to find a Jewish wedding band! Since ancient times, a Jewish wedding engagement and subsequent ceremony was only considered to be valid when there was a formal acceptance of an object that the man gave to the woman. Jewish wedding bands are also intended to symbolize the bond of a couple with each other, their family, their Jewish community and Israel. This tradition is called kinyan and is symbolized b y the man giving a ring to a woman.

Ages ago, an elaborate communal Jewish wedding ring was often rented and then returned after the service. In its place the bride would then receive a plain gold band from her husband. The concept of the ceremonial ring is coming back into vogue these days. Many couples want to wear a special ceremonial ring during the service that they can also take home and keep as a treasured keepsake of the wedding day. Ceremonial bands can be very fancy and elaborate and are not meant for everyday wear. The rings are dramatic and ceremony specific with some bands reaching several inches in height.

The traditional wedding band worn following the ceremony is gold and has no embellishments such as gemstones. Many Jewish men and women are opting for different metals beyond the traditional yellow gold, such as white gold or platinum. Orthodox Jews will typically have a single metal with no inscriptions. Other sects feels as thought the ring can be engraved, just as long as the ring stays solid. To some, it is acceptable to have patterns in the metal or curved or wavy lines around the edges. The purpose of the plain band is to signify the purity of the union as well as to avoid misrepresentations of its value. Some women are option to wear a plain band only during the wedding ceremony and having diamonds added to it or purchasing a more decorated ring after the fact.

“Ani L’ Dodi v’Dodi Li” is the most popular phrase to engrave in a set of Jewish wedding bands. Other popular Hebrew phrases to engrave: “Ze Dodi Veze Re’ei” (This is my beloved and this is my friend.) “Ha’ahava Hi Mekor Hachaim” (The love is the source of life). “Ba’asher Telchi Elech” (Where you will go, I shall go). “Tihye Nafshi Kshura Benafshech” (Let Our Souls and Spirits Interwine). Ahavat Olam Ahavtich” (I Have Loved You with an Ever Lasting Love). Some eschew Hebrew phrases in favor of Jewish symbols such as the Israeli flag or the Star of David.

By Julie Shields

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

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April 20 2008 10:39 pm | Wedding Ring, Engagement Ring, Bridal Jewelry and Wedding Tradition & Etiquette

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