BECAUSE of what was understood to be an electrical fault at Shobrooke Village Hall the Shobrooke Friendly Club meeting for April 18 was held at Newton St Cyres Parish Hall.

The speaker was Stewart Raine of Honiton who gave a very interesting talk on Jewish Weddings and Customs. This was accompanied by a slide show.

Many of the pictures shown by Mr Raine were of members of his own family or that of his wife’s, some going back to the early 1900’s.

He explained that there were probably as many shades of the Jewish religion as there were with Christianity. Some of the branches were much more orthodox than others. For instance in some Synagogues the men worshipped in the main body of the hall, whereas women attending a service sat in the balcony.

As far as the weddings were concerned these were generally arranged. This in no way meant that a wedding was a forced marriage.

It simply meant that someone would mention that they had an eligible son, daughter or other relative, and someone else would say that they had or knew of an eligible person of the opposite sex.

The arranger would then have the two people meet to see how they got on together. They would continue to meet usually in the presence of a chaperone.

Hopefully the couple would like each other sufficiently to want to marry. Short engagements were the order of the day. Such engagements being sealed by the breaking of a saucer or dish. The engagement ring generally having a traditional mount for the stone.

Contracts were drawn up as to what was expected of the intending husband and wife.

Before the actual wedding took place the husband signs his contract and from that moment he is considered married, whereas the woman is not yet considered to be so.

The actual ceremony takes place under a canopy supported on four poles. The man is accompanied by his birth parents, and the woman by hers. At the ceremony the bride has to walk around her husband-to-be seven times. This derives from the Biblical concept that seven denotes perfection or completeness.

Rings are exchanged between the couple, but these must first be inspected by the Rabbi conducting the ceremony, to ensure that the highest quality gold or platinum has been used in their making.

If the Rabbi is not satisfied that the rings are of sufficient quality he will reject, and refuse to use them, until someone produces one which meets his satisfaction.

Whilst the man has been considered to have been married from the moment he signs his contact, the woman is not considered to be married until the ring is in place on her finger. Not the third finger of the left hand as in Christian weddings, but on her index finger, and only then as far as the first joint. Later it is transferred to its traditional position.

Another tradition at Jewish weddings is the breaking of a glass, usually stamped on by the husband.

Mr Raine was warmly thanked for giving such an interesting talk.

Tea and biscuits were as usual served by Dave and Clifford.

Margaret reminded those present that there were only a few seats left on the coach for the Trip to Dartmouth on May 16. Anyone wishing to go should contact Margaret on 01363 773282.

Norman Gale