Rabbi:
We welcome (names of couple), who will enter into the covenant of marriage tomorrow. They come here today in recognition of the commitment they are making to us, and to the Jewish people—to create a bayit ne’eman, a faithful home. Rav Kook said, “Faith is the song of life,” and our hope for _____ and _____ is that their song of life will sound sweet and clear aiways. May your home always be filled with song, light, laughter and faith.
Our tradition tells us many stories of men and women, not born into Judaism, who chose to affiliate themselves with us. From Tamar is descended Nakhshon, son of Amminadab, who had the faith to walk into the Sea of Reeds, even though the waters did not part until he was immersed up to his neck. Nakhshon’s grandson is Boaz, who redeemed RuthAn important female biblical character with her own book. The Book of Ruth, read on Shavuot, tells the story of Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and their return to Israel. Ruth’s story is often read as the first story of conversion. Ruth is the grandmother of King David., a Moabite woman who was the great-grandmother of King David. Naomi had urged Ruth to return to her father’s home but Ruth pledged her faithfulness, saying, “Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Couple recites together:
In faithfulness and love, we pledge to be partners in creating a Jewish home, sharing together in the rituals and practices of home and shulSynagogue (Yiddish). We will raise our children as Jews and teach them about a life of TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general., tzedakahCharity. In Hebrew, the word tzedakah derives from the word for justice. Tzedakah is not seen as emanating from the kindness of one’s heart but, rather, as a communal obligation., and tikkun olamLit. Repair of the world According to Jewish mysticism, the world is in a broken state. Humanity's job is to join God, as God's partners, in its repair.. We commit to being responsible citizens of the Jewish community.
Congregation:
We celebrate the creation of this bayit ne’eman, this Jewish home and weicome you into the circle of our community. The pledge you have made to us today is matched by one we make to you – to be your community, to share your joys and sorrows. When you pledge your faithfulness to each other, know that we faithfully pledge to help you build your bayit ne’eman.
Rabbi:
After the Flood, God instituted the rainbow as the symbol of the covenant made with humankind and all of Creation. Today, _____ and _____ have made a covenant with us and the blessing said upon seeing a rainbow is a most appropriate way to celebrate with them.
Together:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם עֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית
Barukh atah Adonay eloheynu melekh ha’olam, oseh ma’aseh v’resheet.
You are blessed, our God, Ruler of the world, Source of creation.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר אֶת הַבְּרִית
Barukh Ata Adonay Eloheynu Melech Ha’olam Zocher et haBrit.
Blessed are you God, our God, King of the universe who remembers the covenant.
This ritual was created for West End Synagogue and the name suggested by Linda Rich
