Rabbi Maurice Lamm

Discretion in appearance and speech is designed to protect our souls from assault by a coarse world.

In entering into marriage, a couple takes on new responsibilities for the Jewish community and its future.

The second part of the ketubah (marriage contract) details the additional gift promised by the groom, the lien on his property, and the acquisition sealing the contract.

The traditional Aramaic text of the ketubah (marriage contract) reflects the history of Jewish marriage.

As part of God's creation, Jewish marriage creates a spiritual connection between human beings and with God.

For the Israelites, acceptance of the covenant was twofold: identification with the people through circumcision in Egypt and acceptance of God at Sinai.

Immersion in the mikveh actualizes the transition between the convert's old identity and his or her new one as a Jew.

As with a literal newborn, the convert as a spiritual newborn selects a Hebrew name and adopts Abraham and Sarah as spiritual parents.

Final authority for conversion rests with the three-person beit din, which rules on a candidate's sincerity, knowledge, and potential for success as a Jew.