chaux, and Fould, in France; Daniel Manin and Artom, in Italy; Benjamin, in the United States; Jacoby, in Prussia; Ricardo and Disraeli, in England-we find them all sprung from the Jewish race, and, with the exception of the late M. Fould and Mr. Disraeli, all Jews by faith as well as birth. In Morocco the first minister of the Emperor, and many of the officers of the Crown, are Jews; but they are seldom in a position to defend their oppressed brethren, for they often fall as quickly as they rise. The Jews are among the wealthiest inhabitants of Morocco, and are employed in many matters touching commercial relations, and especially as interpreters. They are obliged to dress in black, as an emblem of subjection; but the interpreters to the different consuls, stationed in that country, are exempt from this odious restriction. It was when staying with a friend at Tangiers, on a brief visit from Gibraltar to the north coast of Africa, that I saw the ceremony of a Jewish wedding. One of the sons of a Jewish consul was about to be married to the daughter of a Hebrew banker and silversmith. My friend was invited to attend, and the invitation was kindly extended to me and to two Artillery officers who had crossed over with me from Gibraltar, and who' were also the guests of my host. The marriage took place. in an open courtyard in front of the banker's house, before a large attendance of Jews and Christians. The Jews do not think it necessary to be married in a synagogue, for, in their opinion, any place where prayers are offered up is by that act consecrated. At the east end of the quadrangle, and facing the visitors was a large white and yellow silk canopy, supported at each of its four corners by long poles which Beneath the were held by four bronzed young Hebrews. canopy was a table, on which were a massive silver goblet and some empty wine-glasses. At the side of the table was a Rabbi, with his white silk talith over his head, awaiting the arrival of the bride and bridegroom. He had not long to remain expectant, for the bridegroom, attended by his father, very shortly afterwards entered the courtyard, and took his stand under the canopy, all around crying out, "Blessed is he that cometh!" Soon after his arrival the bride appeared through the parting crowd of spectators, and was led under the canopy, and then three times conducted round her future. husband, thereby fulfilling the command of Jeremiah, "The woman shall compass a man." The bridegroom, after this, escorted his bride around the outside of the canopy; whilst the Jewish guests threw grains of corn upon them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply," "He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest wheat." The couple now entered again under the canopy, and stood facing each other, opposite to the Rabbi. The marriage ceremony then commenced. The Rabbi filled one of the empty glasses with wine from the silver goblet, and taking it in his hand, amid profound silence, said, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, the Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us with Thy commandments, and hast forbidden to us fornication, but hast allowed to us those that are married by means of the canopy and the wedding-ring! Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the Sanctifier of Thy people Israel, by means of the canopy and wedlock."* * The Jews in England say the following prayer, composed especially for them by their Chief Rabbi, Dr. Adler:-"Grant that Thy children may fully comprehend the momentous import of this solemnity; that they step under this canopy, The engaged couple then tasted the wine, and immediately afterwards the bridegroom put a ring on the bride's finger, repeating in Hebrew after the Rabbi: "Behold thou art betrothed unto me with this ring, according to the rites of Moses and Israel." And now the tedious proceeding of reading the Kethuvah, or marriage contract, took place. It was written in Chaldee, and read aloud in that language; and as it was a tongue certainly "not understanded by the people,” and the burning rays of an African sun, were almost vertical, we were all greatly relieved when this most uninteresting performance was over. The Rabbi, having ended, took a glass of wine, stood in front of the united pair, and pronounced the seven blessings. They ran thus: : "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast created everything for Thy glory. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast created man in the image of the likeness of His form, and prepared for aware of its being a symbol of Thy protecting shelter and of Thy everlasting peace; teaching them, however different may be their feelings and sentiments, their views and intentions, they must maintain peace within their hearts, within their family, but especially with Thee, O Lord, bearing in mind that peace invites and binds happiness to their door. Grant that they keep in view that the bridegroom places the ring on the finger of his bride to represent their perfect union, as they must go together the same way, both up and down the hill of life; that the ring must be simple, because matrimony must not be founded on opulence and splendour, but on simplicity and contentment; that the term 'Kidushin' (betrothal, or sanctification) does not only apply to the wife, who must consecrate her life to her husband, but also to the sanctification of the thoughts, the words, and the actions of Thy children, so that they may keep holy Thy laws and commandments, Thy Sabbaths and festivals. Let them understand that they have to drink out of two cups of wine, of which the one is the emblem of joy, and the other of grief; the one of salvation, and the other of consolation; since they must participate alike in all the circumstances of their lives, and must equally share the light and the shadow, the sunshine and the storms of their existence." |