Another Motzai Shabbat...

Baruch HaShem. I just had a wonderful Shabbos at my dear friend's aufruf (what's the root of that?) (is it at all related to aufschnitz?). The questions about names and directions and blessings and song and dance seem under control. The ketuvah (I once said it that way and an actress in my play corrected me tersely with: "it's ketubah." (Can it be either/or?) is sitting before me with the blank spaces ready to be filled in. The only thing I'd like to triple check is the best Hebrew/Yiddish spelling for Falls Village.

The previous time that I performed a wedding I was so focused on logistics that the speech wasn't as high a priority as I would have liked. My words for under the chuppah tomorrow are not yet completely gelled. My friends asked me to speak for three minutes. Here are some of my thoughts:

I know that he loves the concept of "mechadesh betuvo bechol yom tamid maaseh breishit". To him, the idea that G-d recreates the world anew daily ties in to the idea that we recreate ourselves daily. And that fits. Both the bride and groom are into growth. She grew up always hearing about self improvement and adapted it into her own terms and came to appreciate the idea.

They both came to embrace Jewish observance in a serious, meaningful way when they were independent. Speaking of independence, he is particularly grateful to his family for fostering his being his own man. His step-father always quoted Don Meredith who said, when he was quarterback for the Cowboys, that he'd rather be sorry for something he'd done, than not done something and be sorry about that. He is proud of the independence he gained through the respect, support, and fostering of self confidence provided by his family.

My dear friend lost his father when he was eight. We read in this week's parsha - Eilah Toldot Yitzchak ben Avraham, Avraham Holid Et Yitzchak - These are the stories of Yizchak, the son of Avraham. Then we are told about Yitchak's children. Who Yitchak was seems tied to who his father was. And who Yitchak was is tied to who his children were. The cup that the bride and groom will drink from is the cup that his father said kiddush on every week. Eileh Toldot Yitzchak.

The kallah grew up in a home with a strong sense of Judaism, a home where Shabbat candles were lit and Shabbat dinner was served. As they told me when we were talking the other day, "this is not from nothing." She grew up in home very interested in self improvement with a Jewish flavor which she so values now.

Her name mean's G-d's vineyard. His name means grape vine. It is truly a case of invei hagaden veinvei hagefen davar naeh umitkabel. She prayed to let love in right before meeting him. Her prayers were answered.

We bless the bride and groom to be as happy as Adam and Eve in the Garden Of Eden. But what aspect of paradise are we wishing for them on this occasion. The thing about Adam and Eve as a couple is that they were in the unique position of knowing that they were made each other. In a tangible and very real way this is true of this bride and groom too.

I remember well the day that I met each of them. They have brought a great deal of joy and support as friends. They bring a great deal to this marriage and are truly blessed to have been made for eachother.