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Jewish Wedding Vows

Jewish wedding vows on one hand signify a new partnership between two people and two families. On another, it is a sacred drama -- an allegory of the covenental relationship between God and the Jewish people. The Jewish imagination deliberately merges those two covenants--husband and wife, Israel and God--each mirroring the other.

It's important that you abide by the specific rules constituted by the church in which you attend; whether that be the Reform, Conservative or Orthodox subdivisions of Judaism. The betrothal rituals within the Jewish tradition vary widely, and each type is usually quite intricate. For these reasons make sure that you verify your wedding vow choice with the Rabbi before attempting anything that goes against the synagogue edicts.

Vows from a Conservative Jewish ceremony:

Rabbi (to the groom): "Do you _____, take _____ to be your lawful wedded wife, to love, to honor and to cherish?"

Groom: "I do."

Rabbi (to the bride): "Do you, _____, take _____, to be your lawful wedded husband to love, to honor and to cherish?"

Bride: "I do."

Rabbi (to the groom): "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?"

Then the Rabbi asks the bride to repeat:

"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."

Vows from a Reformed Jewish ceremony:

"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."