Rite Of Passage

“I now pronounce you man and wife.” An ordained minister says this, or the presiding authority who performs a marriage ceremony in America. Indicating that the actors, or participants, in the ritual have passed through the threshold now joined and ready to enter society as a newly combined persona. "In virtually every society, the family is defined by marriage; that is, by a publicly announced contract that makes legitimate the sexual union of a man and a woman". (Wilson) Having examined various cultural assessments of this ritual, three phases of the rite of passage are unique to each. As it is axiomatic, that through this ceremony, or joining, they will have declared to society their love. Love being the gnosis, this essay will examine

When a person is born, they are a child until maturity. Being cared for, prepared, and taught how to enter their culture or society as a productive member. Afterward, coming of age they are a single person in status. Culturally being expected to select, or have a mate chosen for them to continue into the next phase of their life cycle. This rite of passage, from a single person to a married couple, or neophyte, differs from culture to culture.

From the Christian viewpoint, “By the time a young Christian is ready to marry, he or she will believe that marriage is the joining of two people in a faithful and loving relationship.” ((n.a.)) From my exegetics opinion, marriage is a union that is shared by two people for the betterment of themselves and enrichment through a cooperative effort. The man or woman behaves in a manner that is primarily self-benefiting. Having established themselves in a social, and economic, status that is according to their own goals and

The kiddushinor, the engagement phase, or ring ceremony. This is where the groom places a ring on the bride’s right index finger and the bride clinches her fist to show her acceptance. “The rituals associated with Jewish weddings begin as soon as a couple are engaged, with a ceremony known as tena 'im. It involves breaking a plate to symbolize the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem,” ((n.a.)) Before the wedding the groom has a special ceremony known as the Ufruf. Involving him going the synagogue and taking an active part in the service as well announcing the wedding to the congregation. The bride will have a ritual bath known as the Mikveh. This is to cleanse her spiritually and enter the marriage in purity. The participants are married under a canopy that symbolizes the home they will share. The ceremony itself begins with the signing of the Ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract. The bride has a veil over her face that symbolizes the groom’s intent to clothe and protect her. This tradition dates to Biblical times when Rebekah covered her face when she married Abrahams