Roman and Jewish weddings had some similarities but also key differences. For both cultures, weddings typically involved ceremonies where the couple exchanged vows. However, Roman weddings usually took place in June and involved the bride wearing ribbons in her hair and a white dress, while Jewish weddings often occurred on Lag B'Omer and saw the bride in a plain white dress. Additionally, Roman ceremonies included animal sacrifices while Jewish ones saw the couple drink blessed wine and later the groom breaking a glass.

1. Weddings Roman and Jewish

2. In this presentation I am going to tell you about roman and Jewish weddings. After this presentation you will known about roman and Jewish wedding dates, special food, activities, clothing, ceremonies and last but not least what guest are invited to these weddings. Also I will explain the comparisons and differences in both roman and Jewish weddings! Introduction

3. Most Roman weddings were in the second half of June, the month dedicated to Juno, Goddess of marriage and childbirth as it was lucky and the most popular month of the Jewish calendar. In Jewish weddings they select the date and place before the wedding. The couple selects a Rabbi and meets with the Rabbi to set a date and place. The Rabbi instructs and counsels the couple as they prepare for the day. Jewish marriages are mainly held on Lag B'Omer, the thirty-third day in the Counting of the Omer, which is a popular wedding date in Israel. Roman and Jewish Wedding dates

4. Wedding clothes At a Roman wedding the bride would wear ribbons in her hair divided into six plaits. While wearing a plain white tunic dress reaching to the ground, held in at the waist by a belt whose ends were fastened with a special knot. The groom would wear a floor-length tunic or toga, trimmed in gold with leather sandals! At a Jewish wedding the groom and other men at the wedding would tend to wear black suits with either a skull cap or top hat. The bride would wear just a white wedding dress, no particular type. The women would wear long dresses or suits which hide their legs.

5. The ceremony would begin with a sacrifice when a animal’s entrails were cut out. If it was in good order the gods were in favour of the wedding. While the couple exchanged vows, they would hold hands. The banquet then took place and the ceremony for the bride and groom’s house took place. The bride lit a fire with a special torch carried in front of the procession. The torch was then blown out, and tossed among the guests, who scrambled for it, much like a bride's flower bouquet is today. Roman Wedding Ceremonies The bride and groom join hands

6. Jewish Wedding Ceremonies A Jewish wedding service is conducted by a Rabbi. Most take place in the synagogue, although they can be held in other places. Wherever the service is held, the bride and groom always stand under a special canopy. This is called a huppah. It is a symbol of the home that the couple will share. It is often decorated with flowers. The couple drink from a glass of wine which has had a blessing said over it. The marriage contract is read and signed by the bride and groom. This says the husband will look after his wife. At the end of the service the groom crushes a glass under his foot, it reminds the couple that there will be bad things as well as good things in their married life, and they must face them together . Then the bride may throw her flower bouquet .

7. Wedding Food At a Jewish wedding they would have such foods as: Sweet bread Fish Meats Chicken soup At a Roman wedding would have had foods such as: Lettuces leeks cabbages, onions chick-peas, chicken Meats Olives pears

8. Guests The guests Romans invited, were mainly family and friends which is a tradition at most weddings. Though they would of also invite important people from the area. There had to be witnesses present, generally 10, for the ceremony to make it legal. At a Jewish wedding they would just invite family and friends. Though when they arrived at the synagogue the men and women were spilt up and the men would sit on one side of the room and women would sit on the other.

9. Activities The Romans would have a large banquet during the wedding. They would celebrate by dancing and cheering on the bride and groom, to congratulate their marriage. At the end of the Jewish ceremony, the band would start up. There are circles and circles of dancing guests, with the couple of honour in the middle perched high on chairs, waving to each other. In traditional Jewish wedding dances, the men can’t touch the bride. They hold a hankie or the bride's train as each man dances with her. e ceremony itself r

10. Conculsion As you can see I have compared my topics; Jewish weddings and Roman weddings. I have done this by putting the Roman information in pink and the Jewish information in blue, so its clear to understand the differences. Jewish and Roman weddings have only a few similarities for example both marriages exchange vows during the ceremony. Though on the other hand, they have more differences than similarities. At a Jewish wedding the couple would have to stand under a huppah, while at a Roman service the couple would hold hands. This shows you that both Jewish and Roman weddings have their own unique traditions, many of which continue today! Thank you for watching my presentation!