Approved Noahide Wedding Ceremony and Contract

Provided and © by Ask Noah International and approved by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet o.b.m.

Stage 1: The Preparations

Well in advance of the wedding, the female guests can be requested to dress in appropriate clothing, according to the Noahide community’s standards of modesty. This could be done with a note inserted into the wedding invitation.

Stage 2: The Chuppah

The wedding ceremony takes place under a traditional canopy with four posts, which is called a chuppah, as a symbol of the home to be built and shared by the couple. Even before the Flood, couples were married under a chuppah, beginning with Adam and Eve. It is traditionally open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent open on all sides to welcome guests from every direction with amazing hospitality. This gave them the opportunity teach their guests about the One True G-d.

Stage 3: The Procession

In the processional, which may be accompanied by music, first the groom proceeds to the chuppah. Then the mothers (if present and participating) proceed with the bride from a back room or back area to the chuppah, and together they circle the groom one time. This symbolizes that the wife will be a protective, surrounding light for the household, to illuminate it with understanding and love from within and protect it from harmful negative influences that are outside.

Stage 4: The Seven Laws of Noah

Optionally, the bride and groom may say this paragraph that recalls the Seven Noahide Commandments and the 7 Divine and human-soul attributes which they correspond to:

“The seven colors of the rainbow symbolize G-d’s covenant with all of mankind. As we join in marriage, we remember our commitment to the Seven Commandments for the nations, that G-d gave through Noah and He later gave through Moses at Mount Sinai. We also call to mind the Seven Attributes of G-d that are reflected in the powers of our own souls:

» Do not Commit Sexual Transgressions; the attribute of Kindness » Do not Murder; the attribute of Strength and Restraint » Do not Steal; the attribute of Beauty and Mercy » Do not Worship Idols; the attribute of Eternity » Do not Blaspheme; the attribute of Splendor and Humility » Do not Eat Flesh Taken from a Living Animal; the attribute of Foundation and Connection » Establish Courts of Law; the attribute of Kingship.

Stage 5: Words of Torah about Marriage

A reading on the Torah-based concept of marriage may be read in parts by one or more persons whom the bride and groom wish to honor – for example, a Rabbi, or brothers, sisters, parents, or close friends, etc.

Stage 6: Marriage Contract

A chosen person reads the couple’s Noahide marriage contract to those present, detailing the groom’s and bride’s obligations to one another. Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet o.b.m. provided the following basic text, with the stipulation that it should be verified (and adjustied if necessary) to be a valid contract by the standards of the secular legal system under which the couple will be registered as married. It is reprinted here from “The Divine Code,” 3rd Edition, p. 442 (a decorative PDF version is available upon request):

By the Grace of G-d

On the ___ day of the week, the ___ day of the month of _________ in the year 20′__ in the civil calendar, corresponding to the ___ day of the Hebrew month of ____________ in the year 57__ since Creation according to the calendar of the People of Israel, here in the community of [city, state/province, and nation:] _________________________ , the bridegroom, __________________ , said to the bride, __________________ : “Be my wife according to the laws of the Torah of Moses as they relate to Bnei Noah, the Children of Noah. I pledge to respect, honor and maintain you conscientiously and in honorable fashion as becoming ethical and honorable people, and assume all the responsibilities incumbent upon a loving and faithful husband, living with you as husband and wife according to universal custom and providing you with all necessities of life.”
Miss _______________ agreed to become his wife, and pledges to honor and respect her husband and to assume all the responsibilities incumbent upon a loving and faithful wife, living with him as wife and husband according to universal custom and maintaining a harmonious household.
Mr. ______________, our bridegroom made this declaration: “I accept upon myself all moral, emotional and financial obligations of this marriage contract. I also accept upon myself to provide all necessities of life for any children G-d may bless us with at least until their age of secular majority or marriage. I declare and affirm that all my present and future properties and possessions shall be liable to these undertakings during my lifetime, and after my lifetime, from this day and forever. If a question arises regarding practical fulfillment of these obligations that I have accepted, my intent is follow decisions of a Jewish Orthodox rabbinical court that will rule according to the Torah Laws for B’nai Noah.
The obligations of this marriage contract were accepted by Mr. _____________, our bridegroom, and Miss _____________, according to all the strictest usage of all marriage contracts according to the prevailing civil laws and social norms.
A binding acceptance of this contract by Mr. _____________, the bridegroom, and Miss _____________, his bride, regarding everything written and stated above, is made by both, by affixing their signatures to this document before witnesses:

Mr. ______________________________ Miss ______________________________

Affirmed and signed on the above date before:

Witness_______________________________

Stage 7: The Ring

Giving a ring is traditional in most cultures. By accepting a ring from the groom, the bride shows her formal consent to become the groom’s wife. A ring is round, to symbolize an endless relationship of love and commitment.

Stage 8: Mazal Tov – Congratulations!

The groom may optionally now break a glass wrapped in cloth by stomping on it. This act serves as an expression of sadness over the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which the Hebrew Bible calls a House of Prayer for all nations. Even at the moment of greatest rejoicing, we are always mindful of the Bible’s instructions to remember Jerusalem the Holy City, and to look forward to the eternal Third Holy Temple that will be established when the true Messiah comes, speedily in our days.

The family and guests respond to the conclusion of the ceremony by wishing the couple “MAZAL TOV – Congratulations!”

Stage 9: After the Ceremony

After the ceremony, since they are in public, the bride and groom should maintain modest behavior with each other, in terms of kissing, etc. Refreshments might be served while the bride and groom have their pictures taken together, along with family members.

Stage 10: The Wedding Dinner

If a wedding dinner will be served, a convenient place should be made available for handwashing before the meal. If bread is served, the blessing over bread is recited at the start of the meal (for example): “Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.”

(If any Jews will join the meal, an option for kosher food should be available for them. This can be planned by consulting with an Orthodox Rabbi. The minimum option for kosher food would be uncut fresh fruit. Kosher food meals that are certified kosher and double-wrapped and double-sealed can be ordered in advance. If wine is to be offered to any Jewish guests, an Orthodox Rabbi should be consulted in advance to make sure that proper wine is served.)

The “Grace After Meals” for Noahides is recited at the end of the meal (see “The Divine Code,” 3rd Ed., p. 86), and additional (optional) prayers may be added at the end. A card design with the Grace After Meals for Noahides can be viewed here: https://asknoah.org/wp-content/uploads/noahide-grace-after-meals.jpg

Stage 11: Tzedakah (Charity)

Charity cans or boxes may be placed on each table during the meal and/or in the wedding reception rooms to encourage the guests to give charity. When disbursed appropriately, this will add merit and blessings for the bride and groom from the outset of their new marriage.