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they must not eat meat and butter together. For this reason also they hold it unlawful to eat cheese made by Christians; theirs being made under the superintendence of a Jew, and the milk from which it is made being turned in a different manner.

For this reason, the vessels used for meat are not to be employed for things consisting either wholly or partly of milk: and therefore, both for dressing and eating their different victuals, they are obliged to have different utensils, even to the minutest articles; such as knives, forks, spoons, &c. If by accident either of these kinds of food be put into a vessel appropriated to the other kind, the food is accounted unfit to be eaten; and if the vessel is of earthen ware, it is broken in pieces, or thrown aside as useless: if it is of metal or stone, a purgation by passing through fire, or by ablution in boiling water, is sufficient to render it fit for use as before.

For the same reason, they deem it necessary to purchase their kitchen utensils perfectly new: lest, if they were not new and had been in the possession of Gentiles, they should have been polluted by being used for any forbidden meats.*

The prohibitions of the rabbies in former ages, against drinking wine which had been made or tasted by any but Jews, seem to be wholly obsolete; and with reference to drink, the Jews at present differ little, if at all, from the people among whom they live, except at time of the passover, which has been already mentioned.

* David Levi, ibid. p. 214-216. Leo Modena, ibid, P. ii. c. 7. P. i. c. 3. s. 1. Vide etiam Buxtorf. ibid. c. 23—36. p. 593-619.

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CHAPTER XXIII.

Marriage.-Divorce.-Customs relating to Widows and the Brothers of their deceased Husbands.

MARRIAGE is accounted the indispensable duty of every Jew. The time which the rabbies have assigned as the most proper for discharging this obligation, is the age of eighteen; and men who remain in celibacy long after, are considered as living in sin. Polygamy is sanctioned by the Talmud, and is sometimes practised by the Jews in the East; but has long been discontinued among their brethren in Europe.*

When a marriage is agreed upon, the promise is made before witnesses; which is called betrothing or espousing. The parties continue betrothed sometimes six months, sometimes a year, or more, before the union is consummated.†

Their marriage ceremonies, in different times and places, have exhibited some unimportant varieties; but the latest of their own writers have given the following general account of them, as performed in this and other countries in the present age.

On the day fixed for the solemnization of the nuptials, the bride and bridegroom are conducted to the place appointed for the celebration of the ceremony. The bride is escorted by women, and

* Leo Modena, ibid. P. iv. c. 2. s. 1, 2. David Levi, ibid. p. 131. Addison, ibid. c. iv. p. 41. c. viii. p. 71, 72.

+ Leo Modena, ibid. P. iv. c. 3. s. 1. David Levi, ibid. p. 132.

the bridegroom by men. The company is generally large, including most or all of their friends and acquaintance. Ten men, at least, must be present; or the marriage is null and void. The chief-rabbi and chassan of the synagogue form part

of the company.

A velvet canopy is brought into the room, and extended on four long poles. The bride and bridegroom are led to their station under this canopy; the bridegroom by two men; and the bride by two women, her face being covered with a veil. These two men and two women are always the parents of the bride and bridegroom, if they happen to be living: otherwise this office is performed by their nearest kindred ; a man and his wife for the bride, and another man and his wife for the bridegroom; though the bridegroom is led by the men, and the bride by the women. The parties are placed opposite to each other, and then the person who performs the ceremony, takes a glass of wine in his hand, and says: 'Blessed art 'thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe! 'who createst 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 us fornication, and hast re'strained us from the betrothed, but hast permitted 'us those who are married to us, by means of the canopy and wedlock. Blessed art thou, O Lord! 'who sanctifiest Israel.' The bridegroom and 'bride then drink of the wine; after which the 'bridegroom takes the ring, and puts it on the 'bride's finger; saying, 'Behold thou art wedded

'to me with this ring, according to the law of • Moses and Israel.'

Then the marriage contract is read, which specifies that the bridegroom A. B. agrees to take the bride C. D. as his lawful wife, according to the law of Moses and Israel; and that he will keep, maintain, honour, and cherish her, according to the manner of all the Jews, who honour, keep, maintain, and cherish their wives; and that he will keep her in clothing decently, according to the custom of the world. This instrument also specifies what sum he settles upon her in case of his death; and he obliges his heirs, executors, and administrators, to pay the same to her out of the first produce of his effects.

After the reading of this instrument, the person performing the ceremony takes another glass of wine, and repeats seven benedictions. Then the bridegroom and bride drink the wine; after which the empty glass is laid on the floor, and the bridegroom, stamping on it, breaks it to pieces. This part of the ceremony is said to be intended as an indication of the frailty of life. Then all the company shout, Good luck to you. The ceremony is followed by a contribution for the poor of the land of Canaan.-The nuptial feast is as sumptuous as the parties can afford, and continues for seven days.*

A Jew is at liberty to divorce his wife at any time, for any cause, or for no substantial cause at

* David Levi, ibid. p. 132–196. Spanish and Portuguese Jews? Prayer Book, p. 220, 221.

all; he himself being the sole judge of its sufficiency. To prevent divorces from taking place on sudden sallies of passion which might afterwards be regretted, the synagogue has ordained several formalities to be observed on such occasions; the execution of which, causes considerable delay, and so allows opportunity for a reconsideration of the matter before the separation actually takes place. There must be a regular Bill of Divorce, written by one of their notaries, with the concurrence of three rabbies, on ruled vellum, and containing neither more nor fewer than twelve lines. Many other punctilios are prescribed, as to the manner of writing, and the form in which it is to be expressed. The following is a translation of one, regularly filled up and executed.

'On the fourth day of the week, on the eleventh day of the month Chisleu, in the year five thou'sand four hundred and fifty four from the creation ' of the world; according to the computation which we follow here in the city of Amsterdam, which 'is called Amstelredam; situated by the side of 'the sea called Taya, and by the river Amstel. 'I Abraham, the son of Benjamin, surnamed Wolff, 'the priest; and at this time dwelling in the city of Amsterdam, which is called Amstelredam, which 'is situated by the sea-side called Taya, and by 'the river Amstel; or if I have any other name, or surname, or my parents, or my place, or the place ' of my parents; by my own free-will, without any compulsion, do put away, dismiss, and divorce thee, my wife Rebekah, the daughter of Jonah the 'Levite; who at this time resides in the city of