- Jewish Weddings Everywhere – Celebrations That Feel Truly Jewish
Narrative:
A Jewish wedding is not just a ceremony—it is a spiritual and national event. In Israel, weddings take on an added dimension: no civil marriages that ignore Halacha, no officiants unfamiliar with Jewish law. Under every chuppah, the sound of Mazal Tov! rings out, and the joy of simcha is felt in the streets. Walking down the road, you might hear live wedding music, reminding you that in Israel the happiness of a Jewish couple is shared by the entire nation.
Biblical Source:
“There shall yet be heard in the cities of Judah… the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride.” (Jeremiah 33:10-11)
עוֹד יִשָּׁמַע בְּעָרֵי יְהוּדָה… קוֹל שָׂשׂוֹן וְקוֹל שִׂמְחָה קוֹל חָתָן וְקוֹל כַּלָּה.» (ירמיהו לג:י-יא
Talmudic Source:
“One who brings joy to a bride and groom is as if they have built one of the ruins of Jerusalem.” (Berachot 6b)
הַמְּשַׂמֵּחַ חָתָן וְכַלָּה כְּאִלּוּ בָּנָה חוּרְבָּה מֵחָרוּבוֹת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם.» (ברכות ו
- Hebrew as the National Language – Strengthening Jewish Identity
Narrative:
For centuries, Hebrew was the language of prayer and study, but daily conversations took place in Yiddish, Ladino or local tongues. The revival of Hebrew in Israel is nothing short of miraculous—every street sign, every newspaper, every conversation echoes the language of the Torah. Learning Hebrew in Israel is not just practical; it is a return to the linguistic heart of Jewish identity, allowing every Jew to connect directly to their heritage.
Biblical Source:
“Then I will turn the peoples to a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord.” (Zephaniah 3:9)
כִּי־אָז אֶהְפֹּךְ אֶל־עַמִּים שָׂפָה בְרוּרָה לִקְרֹא כֻלָּם בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה.» (צפניה ג:ט
Talmudic Source:
“In the future, the Jewish people will return to speaking the Holy Tongue.” (Shabbat 12a)
לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא יָחֲזְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְדַבֵּר בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶש.» (שבת יב
Rabbi Paul D. Bloom lives in Jerusalem and Edison, New Jersey with his wife, Ettie. He is a retired IBM executive and is currently the CEO of PDB Futurecom International. He is on the Board of Directors of NY/ Israel Chamber of Commerce, Dollar a Day of Raritan Valley and the Israel Inspiration Initiative.
