
No single set of rules applies to all Jewish weddings because of the differences between the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform branches of the faith. In fact, individual rabbis and synagogues make their own interpretations. In the Orthodox and Conservative wedding services, an ancient Aramaic vow is usually recited before the groom places the ring on his bride's finger. This ring vow also serves as the groom's wedding vow. In the Sephardic transliteration, it reads:
"Harey at mekuddeshet li B'taba'at zo k'dat Moshe V'israel"
which means:
"Behold thou are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses and of Israel."
In a double-ring ceremony, the bride presents a ring to her groom in the same way, reciting a slightly different vow.
Or for a Conservative service, these vows are often used, as taken from the Rabbinical Assembly Manual and published by the Rabbinical Assembly of America:
Rabbi (addressing the bridegroom): "Do you, ________________, take ______________ to be your lawful wedded wife, to love, to honor and to cherish?"
Bridegroom: "I do."
Rabbi (addressing the bride): "Do you, ________________, take ________________ to be your lawful wedded husband to love, to honor and to cherish?"
Bride: "I do."
Rabbi (addressing the bridegroom): "Then, do you, _________________, put this ring upon the finger of your bride and say to her: 'Be thou consecrated to me, as my wife, by this ring, according to the Law of Moses and of Israel.'"
The Rabbi then asks the bride to repeat the following:
"May this ring I receive from thee be a token of my having become thy wife according to the Law of Moses and of Israel."
If two rings are used, the bride may say:
"This ring is a symbol that thou art my husband in accordance with the Law of Moses and Israel."
In a Reformed service there is a distinctly separate wedding vow that is read by the rabbi and affirmed by the bride and groom:
"O God, supremely blessed, supreme in might and glory, guide and bless this groom and bride. Standing here in the presence of God, the Guardian of the home, ready to enter into the bond of wedlock, answer in the fear of God, and in the hearing of those assembled:
Do you, ________________, of your own free will and consent take ________________ to be your wife/husband and do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her/him throughout life?"
Groom/bride: "I do."
The Seven Blessings are also a traditional part of any Jewish marriage ceremony:
"You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God, who created the fruit of the vine.
"You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God. You created all things for Your glory.
"You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God. You created humanity.
"You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God. You made humankind in Your image, after Your likeness, and You prepared from us a perpetual relationship. You abound in Blessings, Adonai our God. You created humanity.
"May she who was barren rejoice when her children are united in her midst in joy. You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God, who makes Zion rejoice with her children.
"You make these beloved companions greatly rejoice even as You rejoiced in Your creation in the Garden of Eden as of old. You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God, who makes the bridegroom and bride to rejoice.
"You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God, who created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love, fellowship, peace, and friendship. Soon may there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the jubilant voice of bridegrooms from their canopies and of youths from their feasts of song. You Abound in Blessings, Adonai our God. You make the bridegroom rejoice with the bride."