Nissuin

Definition

Nissuin is the second stage of marriage in Jewish law, which follows the betrothal (kiddushin) and is marked by the couple entering into a marital relationship. This stage involves the couple living together as husband and wife, fulfilling the legal and spiritual requirements of marriage. Nissuin represents the consummation of the relationship and is often celebrated with a wedding ceremony that includes various rituals and blessings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nissuin is often accompanied by a wedding ceremony that includes various blessings, such as the Sheva Brachot, or seven blessings.
2. During nissuin, the husband and wife are expected to share a life together, which includes emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
3. Traditionally, nissuin is signified by the couple breaking a glass at the end of the ceremony, symbolizing both joy and sorrow.
4. The nissuin stage is considered essential for the legitimacy of the marital relationship in Jewish law, as it completes the process started with kiddushin.
5. In many communities, nissuin also involves the couple stepping into the chuppah to signify their commitment and partnership.

Review Questions

• Compare and contrast nissuin and kiddushin in terms of their significance in Jewish marriage.
  • Nissuin and kiddushin are two distinct yet interconnected stages in Jewish marriage. Kiddushin serves as the initial betrothal phase, where a formal commitment is made, usually symbolized by the giving of a ring. In contrast, nissuin represents the full marital union where the couple begins living together as husband and wife. While kiddushin establishes the legal relationship, nissuin consummates it and allows for shared life experiences, marking a deeper emotional and spiritual bond.
• Discuss the cultural significance of rituals performed during nissuin, such as breaking the glass.
  • Rituals performed during nissuin hold profound cultural significance within Jewish weddings. Breaking the glass at the end of the ceremony serves multiple purposes; it symbolizes both joy and sorrow, reminding participants of life's fragility while celebrating the couple's new beginning. This act connects individuals to Jewish history and traditions, reinforcing communal ties while highlighting themes of love and resilience. Such rituals create memorable moments that mark the transition into married life.
• Evaluate how nissuin contributes to understanding Jewish marital obligations and family structure within Jewish communities.
  • Nissuin plays a critical role in understanding Jewish marital obligations and family structures by emphasizing the importance of companionship, commitment, and shared responsibilities. This stage establishes not only legal and spiritual bonds but also sets expectations for mutual support and partnership in raising families. Nissuin's practices reflect broader values within Jewish communities regarding family life, social responsibility, and communal identity, illustrating how marriage is viewed as both an individual commitment and a societal cornerstone.

Related terms

Kiddushin: The first stage of Jewish marriage, where a man betroths a woman through a formal act of commitment, typically involving the giving of a ring.

Chuppah: A canopy under which a Jewish couple stands during their wedding ceremony, symbolizing their new home together.

Get: A religious divorce document in Judaism that must be given by the husband to the wife to formally dissolve a marriage.