Kiddushin, The Mystical Aspects of Jewish Marriage

“Like the rose maintaining its beauty among thorns, so is My faithful beloved among the nations.” Rashi's interpretation of Song of Songs 11:2

Many mystics have interpreted Leviticus 9 as a wedding between G-d and Israel. The Song of Songs is seen by them as an expounded version of the same events where G-d becomes Shlomo who brings about Schelemut, wholeness to the people of Israel. There is a also a masculanization of female characters in the text. A "Gender paradox occurs, (as) the Daughters of Tssiyyon are read as the circumcised men of Israel...The mystical experience is interpreted as a penetration by the divine word or spirit into the body and soul of the adept" (Boyarim, 46-47.) The mystic takes a female role in their experience of G-d. This aspect of our spiritual connection with G-d in Sinai can help us value and appreciate more our marriages. The importance of sexual, emotional and spiritual intimacy among spouses is compared to our relationship with G-d "The Song of Songs is… a song that was sung at a concrete historical moment of intimacy, at a moment in which God showed Himself to all the People." (Boyarim, 50). Sexuality in Jewish thought is elevated to the highest degree in many texts, especially the Song of Songs which is seen by the rabbis as a “desublimation of divine love, an understanding of that love thorough its metaphorical association with literal, human, corporeal sexuality." (Boyarim, 51)

Kiddushin is a covenant, an agreements between two contracting parties as the one given to Abraham and the one of Torah in Sinai, which is sealed with blood. At the same time the marriage covenant in Judaism, is called Kiddushin instead of "berit," which means a process of holiness, an ongoing sanctification or a distinct intimate relationship apart from others. Shalom bayit "marital wholeness" is the ongoing pursuit of peace in marriage, the covenantal relationship of two human beings. The "Dedication," that takes place during the kiddushin indicates that the couple now have an exclusive relationship, involving total dedication of the bride and groom to each other, to the extent of them becoming "one soul in two bodies."

In Sephardic circles the giving of Torah in Sinai event is seen as "the marriage between Jews and G-d… being solemnized symbolically between the Torah--the bride--and the people of Israel, the bridegroom. In these versions, God as the bride's father gives as dowry the 613 commandments, the Bible, Talmud , and other sacred writings. Moses presents as dowry to his son--the people of Israel--the prayer shawl and phylacteries, the Sabbath and festivals. The contracts are witnessed by God and His servant Moses." (Goodman). This powerful image portrays the relationship between G-d and Jews, in the book “Toward a Jewish Theology” other images connected to marriage are explored. The tabernacle is used by many mystics as a symbol of sexual encounters in marriage. "The Holy of Holies is depicted as a bedroom where the cherubs engage in the procreative act. Where does God dwell? Between the cherubs. Similarly, when a licit coupling occurs between sexual partners. God is present. " (Sherwin, 150)


Bibliography


Boyarim, Daniel People of the Book
Byron, Sherwin Toward a Jewish Theology
Goodman, Philip The Shavuot Anthology