KIDDUSHIN

[huronna]

KIDDUSHIN
by Paul E. Jamison

Sammy was sitting behind his desk, attempting to make some headway on his paperwork. His desk was always piled high with letters, books and e-mail printouts, but lately it seemed to have gotten worse. It wasn't surprising, really, considering that the Big Event – he thought of it in just that way, capitalized and everything – was a little more than a week away. It was a relief when someone knocked on the office door. He lay down a letter and said, "Come in?"

His relief was enhanced by joy when a pretty jill stuck her head in his office and smiled. "Hello, are we interrupting anything?"

Sammy smiled at Clarissa. "Oh, believe me, I'll take any interruption I can get. Hi!"

Hanging from Clarissa's chest was a carrier, and strapped in was a little bundle of pure white fur and bright red eyes. The little kit's face lit up when he saw Sammy and he energetically waved his chubby arms and legs in the air. Little Levi cheerfully squealed and loudly declared "Goo-gleh!"

Sammy grinned. "And there's my buddy! Hi, there, big guy!" He stood up and continued, "And how are you fine folks today?"

Clarissa began undoing the straps on her carrier, helped to no end by her squirmy little son. "Oh, we're doing fine. We thought we'd come by today; after tomorrow, you and I won't be able to see each other for a week." She bent down and kissed Little Levi. "And we have important news – we said our first word today!"

Sammy walked around his desk. "That's good! What was it?"

"'Goo-gleh.'"

Little Levi confirmed this. "Goo-gleh!!"

"I see. A perfectly fine word. It sounds almost Yiddish." He took the little kit from his mama. "I wonder what it means."

Clarissa started divesting herself of the carrier. She rolled her eyes. "Oh, well, if you're going to insist on meaning, all bets are off!" She set the carrier down on a more-or-less flat portion of the detritus on the desk. "Why do words have to mean something? If we start using that as a benchmark, half the humans on the face of the earth wouldn't qualify."

"Good point." Sammy held Little Levi up over his head and began to spin briskly around. The baby squealed with glee.

Clarissa shook her head. "I'm going to tell you right now that that's a good way to get him to throw up." She added thoughtfully. "Or down. You might very well find out what he had for breakfast."

"I'll take that risk." Sammy danced around until he backed up against his chair and abruptly sat down. "Whoop!" He clutched the baby tight. "Boy, that could have turned out bad! You and I were lucky, fella!"

Clarissa didn't look concerned. "You did that on purpose."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Sammy looked down at the little kit in his lap, who looked back up at him with adoring eyes. Sammy said, "You know, one of these days, I'll have to get out of the habit of calling you 'Little Levi'. It looks like you're growing like a weed. It won't be long before the 'Little' part won't fit anymore. And it'll get embarrassing, too. A young lad won't like being called 'Little'."

The kit thoughfully replied, "Goo-gleh."

Clarissa sat down. "Oh, that won't be awhile yet. 'Little Levi' will do for now."

"Well, it's never too early to worry about these things." Sammy gently stroked the soft white fur. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to hold this child. He said, gently, "I'm sure that his father would be proud of him – he's probably watching us even as we speak."

Clarissa nodded. "I feel that he is." She sighed. "I miss Albert so much. Is it wrong to say that – even now?"

Rabbis were used to counseling people on difficult issues of loss and letting go, but this was personal, and he wasn't quite sure himself. But he said, "No, I don't think so. I believe that he wouldn't want you to stop your life for his sake. If he was the good husband you say he was, he'd want you to move on and love again – for his sake." Sammy held a tiny little paw in his own. "I just hope that Albert would approve of your new husband."

"Oh, I know he would. He always was a good judge of character." A twinkle came to her eye. "I only choose the best for husbands."

This could have been a awkward moment, but in one of those improbable coincidences that happen in real life all the time, there was another knock on the door. Sammy said, "Come in!"

A smiling Sable ferret in a red serge uniform, carrying a large cardboard box, came in. "Hi, everyone! Glad you're all here!"

"Hi, Murphy!"

"Goo-gleh!!"

"And 'Goo-gleh' right back at you, kiddo! How are preparations coming?"

"Just fine, Murph." Sammy tapped the letter he'd been reading. "Rabbi Joachim says he'll be more than happy to come perform the ceremony. He's sent confirmation that he'll fly in a couple of days before." Sammy had an odd catch in his voice. "You know, I've performed several weddings myself here in the synagogue, but this one I can't. It feels... weird."

Murphy nodded. "I can imagine. And I'll bet you're nervous."

Sammy sighed. "Yes, to be honest... I'm very nervous." He looked at Clarissa and she gave him a warm smile in return.

Murphy hefted the box. "Anyway, they came today! I figured you'd want to try them on, so here I am."

Clarissa sat up and looked excited. "Ooh, yes, the shoes! I want to see them! I'm glad we came!"

Sammy looked at the box and didn't show that much enthusiasm.

Like all creatures – including humans, if they get up the nerve to admit it – ferrets hate wearing shoes. And since they'd only recently developed sentience, they had no reservations about expressing their opinions on the subject. However, sometimes ferrets needed shoes – some things bare feet couldn't handle. On the shop floor, the Skippys required safety shoes along with eye and ear protection. And this particular pair of shoes would be necessary. Sammy knew this, but he didn't have to be overjoyed about it.

Murphy looked around Sammy's desk for several seconds. He finally shrugged and set the box down on a stack of books that looked less unstable than the rest. He opened the box and took out two ferret-sized shoes. They were black, with little adornment, and they were polished until they shone.

Clarissa exclaimed, "Oh, those are perfect! Not too showy, just right for the occasion. Sammy, I think they'll look just fine on you!"

Murphy said, "Oh, I agree. Looks like they'll fit, too. C'mon, Rabs, why don't we try them on?"

Sammy scowled and muttered, "Yeah, Murph, 'Rabs' here just can't wait. Clarissa, giggling doesn't help. You'll set Levi here off in a minute – look, see? What did I tell you?"

--------------------------

It was a warm Kansas night, and the dark sky seemed full of stars. The synagogue on South Seneca was abuzz with activity, both indoors and out. A group of humans, Jewish and Gentile, formed a crowd just beyond the front yard. They were very much interested in this wedding, but they willingly kept their distance. This was the ferrets' show, after all.

A local human synagogue had graciously donated a tallit, and four ferrets were in the yard, stretching the shawl over four poles to form a large canopy. They were soon done, and some ferrets set up several rows of chairs and a table covered with a white cloth beneath the canopy. Someone else brought two silver cups, a carafe of wine and a beautiful glass and set them on the table. The chuppah was set up and ready.

Most of the activity was taking place indoors. Since the groom and bride could not see each other for a week before the wedding ceremony, they were greeting the guests in two separate receptions. Per tradition, the chatan and kalah are considered to be a king and queen, and the kalah was in one room, sitting on her very own throne, greeting a steady procession of guests. In the next room, toasts were being offered and songs were being sung in honor of the chatan. He was wearing his own tallit over a pure white kittel, and it made an interesting contrast to his black yarmulke with the red trim.

Murphy stood next to his old friend; he was wearing his best red serge tunic, with shining brass buttons and a white cord on one shoulder. In place of his campaign hat he wore a simple white yarmulke. In a nearby wheelchair was another Sable ferret, wearing a white yarmulke of his own.

Max asked, "How you doing, Sammy? You look nervous."

Sammy chuckled. "Not as bad as you might think. The bride and groom are supposed to fast for a Jewish wedding, like we do for Yom Kippur. I haven't had a bite to eat since I got up this morning, and right now I'm starving! It's helping to distract me."

Murphy said, "No doubt. All these refreshments they're serving here probably don't help much, though."

"That does make it more difficult, now that you mention it. I appreciate it that you two aren't noshing in front of me."

Max replied, "Hey, what are friends for?"

"It's a pity you can't do something about the singing. I appreciate my cousin Aaron making the effort, but he has a voice like a rusty drainpipe."

Murphy said, "By the way, how are the shoes doing?"

Sammy looked down at the black shoes, just visible beneath his white robe and sighed. "I keep telling myself that I'll need them later. That doesn't make it any easier wearing them."

Nearby, Sammy's mother Miryam was chatting with some relatives from back East when another ferret lady came up to her. Miryam smiled and said, "Hello, Victoria! I hope things are going well!"

Victoria replied, "Oh, yes, they are. It's a nice reception." She held up a dinner plate. "And now it's time for us to do our part."

"Oh, yes, the plate. You know, I've been trying to figure out a good way for us to break it."

Victoria smiled and held up a small hammer. She'd bought it earlier that day in a local hardware store.

Miryma nodded. "I like you. You're practical."

The sound of shattering crockery brought all conversation to a halt, and everyone looked over to see the mothers of the bride and groom standing over what was left of the plate. They were both smiling. The act of breaking a plate is deeply symbolic of the seriousness of the commitment and the potential fragility of any relationship. But it's also somehow satisfying to a ferret to break something and get away with it.

Jakob stepped up to Sammy with a white veil in his paws, and he held it out to his son. "Badeken time."

Sammy said, "Thank you, Father", and took the veil. Followed by his parents, close relatives and his many friends, he then walked to the reception room next door.

Seated on her throne, Clarissa looked up as Sammy came in and smiled up at him. Sammy stepped forward with the veil, and they gazed into each other's eyes for what was only a second. The look they exchanged seemed to last forever, and it seemed to last for too short a time. Then Sammy placed the veil over Clarissa's face.

In the yard outside, A klezmer band was providing appropriate music for a Jewish wedding, and Rabbi Joachim stood beneath the chuppah. Through the front door of the synagogue came Murphy, the Best Man, and the rest of the groom's attendants; Aaron was pushing Max's wheelchair along.

Through the front door, Sammy came out, escorted by his parents Jakob and Miryam. They stopped just short of the canopy. Miryam and Jakob stepped forward, and ushers escorted them to stand at the front row of chairs. Murphy and the other attendants filed into the row behind and remained standing. Sammy stood in front of the Rabbi.

The Maid of Honor, an old friend named Joanna, and the bride's attendants came next from the temple door and walked to the chuppah; they filed in to stand beside the groomsmen in the second row.

And the bride came out of the temple, escorted by her mother Victoria. Clarissa's wedding dress was a simple white affair with little in the way of adornment, but on her it shone like a bright beacon on a dark night. Sammy watched her walking toward him and thought that she was the most beautiful creature in the world.

Victoria went to stand by Miryam. Clarissa walked under the canopy and slowly circled Sammy seven times. When she was done, she stopped and stood by Sammy's right side. The guests all sat down. Rabbi Joachim spoke.

“Blessed to all and welcome!

"He who is mightier than all;
He who is blessed above all;
He who is greater than all;
He who distinguished above all;
He should bless this bridegroom and bride!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Joachim picked up one of the cups and faced the chatan and kalah. He then gave the Kiddushin blessing.

"Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning illicit marriages, forbidden to us the betrothed and permitted to us those who are married to us by the rite of chuppah and kiddushin.

"Blessed are you, O Lord, who sanctifies His people Israel through chuppah and kiddushin."

Sammy and Clarissa tasted the wine in the cup.

The Rabbi picked up the marriage contract. The Ketubah details the responsibilities of a Jewish husband, primarily the obligation to provide food, shelter and clothing for his wife and to provide for her emotional needs. It was printed in Aramaic, but Sammy had read an English translation earlier and had thought that it was reasonable enough. He'd also thought that the artwork on the document was quite exquisite, as it often is for a Ketubah, and he knew it would look terrific on a wall in their home.

Rabbi Joachim read the Ketubah to the audience, his voice carrying even to the humans outside the yard. Then he called for two witnesses. Murphy and Joanna came forward and signed the document. The Rabbi then handed the Ketubah to Sammy, who handed it to Clarissa; it was now her property.

The Rabbi said, "Sammy, do you, of your own free will and consent, take Clarissa to be your wife; and do you promise to love, honor and cherish her throughout life?"

"I do."

"Clarissa, do you, of your own free will and consent, take Sammy to be your husband, and do you promise to love, honor and cherish him throughout life?"

"I do."

It was simple little gold band that the Rabbi held up then, as it was supposed to be. He said, "Sammy, you will now betrothe the bride, in the presence of these witnesses, by placing this ring upon the third finger of her left hand."

Sammy placed the ring on Clarissa’s finger and looked into her eyes and said, "Behold, you are betrothed to me with this ring, in accordance with the laws of Moses and Israel."

The Rabbi said, "Clarissa, you will now accept the covenant betrothal offered to you by Sammy in the presence of these witnesses."

Clarissa gently folded her fingers over Sammy's own and over the little gold band. She said, "Behold, I am betrothed to you with this ring, in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel."

Rabbi Joachim poured out the second cup of wine and sang the Seven Blessings:

"Praised be thou O Lord our God
King of the universe
Creator of the fruit of the vine.”

"Praised be thou O Lord our God
King of the universe
Who created all things for His glory.

"Praised be thou O Lord our God
King of the universe
Who has fashioner of the man.

"Praised be thou O Lord our God
King of the universe
Who formed the man in his image
In the image of the semblance of His likeness
And prepared for him from Himself a building for eternity.
Praised be thou O Lord, who fashioned the man.

"May the barren one
Exult and jubilantly rejoice through the gathering of her children
Amidst her in gladness.
Praised be thou O Lord
Who gladdens Zion in her children.

"Gladden the beloved companions
As you gladdened your creation
In the garden of Eden from days of old.
Praised be thou O Lord
Who gladdens the bridegroom and bride.

"Praised be thou O Lord our God
King of the universe
Who hast created joy and gladness
Bridegroom and bride.
Rejoicing, song and delight
Love and brotherhood
Peace and fellowship.
Soon may there be heard in the cities of Judah
And in the Streets of Jerusalem
The voice of joy, the voice of gladness
Voice of the bridegroom, voice of the bride.
The jubilant voice of bridegrooms
In their nuptial canopies
And of youths from their feasts of song.
Praised be thou O Lord
Who gladdens the bridegroom and the bride.”

The Rabbi then picked up the glass from the table and carefully placed it on the ground in front of the bride and groom. Sammy, wearing his shiny black shoes, raised his right foot and brought it down to smash the glass into shards.

The Rabbi said, "You may now kiss the bride."

Sammy lifted the veil from Clarissa's and kissed her, gently, deeply, for a moment completely out of space and out of time.

From the family – from the attendants – from the friends and relatives – from the crowd of humans outside the synagogue's front yard – rose a loud, joyous cry of "MAZEL TOV!!"

Sammy and Clarissa, their arms linked together, briskly walked back to the temple and to the Yichud room, for a few minutes of ritual seclusion. With people and ferrets cheering behind them, Clarissa leaned closed and whispered, "There's food laid out for us in that room, isn't there?"

Sammy replied, "Oh, yes, plenty. Murphy took care of that and he went all out."

"Oh, good. I don't know about you, but I'm starving!"

----------------------

Murphy had offered to help set up the Seudah dinner, but had been politely told that there were plenty of folks that knew best how to handle these things, so he'd snagged a glass of Ferretone wine and stood back to watch the entertainment. Little Levi didn't understand all that was going on, but he sat in his grandmother's lap and thoroughly enjoyed the acrobats and jugglers. Sammy and Clarissa, the guests of honor, sat side by side and tried to pay some attention to what was going on, but their eyes tended to gravitate to one another and then they'd get distracted.

Another ferret, dressed in a red serge uniform of his own, appeared next to Murphy and said, "Hello, son."

"Dad!" Murphy managed to give his Father a hug. It must have looked odd to anyone nearby – it must have looked like he was grasping empty air – but he didn't care. "It's good that you could make it!"

The late Gordon Ferret smiled at Murphy. "The Powers That Be won't let us do this sort of thing, except under special circumstances, but this certainly qualifies. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was a lovely ceremony."

"Yes, it was. Sammy explained a lot of the significance behind the rituals in a Jewish wedding. It's fascinating!"

"Indeed. Levi was telling me about it earlier."

Murphy raised his eyebrows and looked over at the little kit in Victoria's lap.

Gordon shook his head. "Not him! 'Goo-gleh' doesn't allow for much exchange of abstract ideas, Son. I mean Sammy's Grandpapa Levi!"

"Oh, that's right! Of course he'd be here!" Murphy looked around, but he naturally couldn't see the old Rabbi. "Has he talked to Sammy yet?"

"No, not yet. But he's here, all right. Right now it's Sammy's and Clarissa's special time, and he doesn't want to intrude."

Murphy nodded. He watched as Sammy brought his new bride's paw up and gently kissed it. Clarissa in turn gave him a peck on his cheek.

Murphy said, thoughtfully, "I think things have changed now, Dad. The old team – Sammy, Max, me – isn't the same anymore. Clarissa is a sweet girl, and they're right for one another. But I can't help having my regrets."

"I don't think things will change all that much, Son. She's quite an understanding lady. I think she's got a little bit of adventure in her soul too. Look at it this way – maybe the team has just gotten bigger."

Clarissa looked around and her eyes lit on Murphy. She smiled, but she didn't wave at him like someone else would have done. Instead, she held up a paw and gave him a thumbs-up. Just like Sammy would do.

Murphy slowly smiled and returned the thumbs-up. "You know, Dad – I think you're right."

Father and Son looked at each other and exchanged a special smile of their own.

"L'chayim, Dad."

"L'chayim, Son."

THE END

Jewish words:

Chatan – Groom

Kalah – Bride

Kittel – The traditional white robe worn during Yom Kippur

Tallit – Prayer shawl

Badeken – The custom of the groom placing a veil over the bride's face

Chuppah – A canopy set up outdoors, under which the wedding ceremony takes place; it is symbolic of the presence of God over the covenant of marriage

Ketubah – Marriage contract

Kiddushin – Betrothal, marriage; the sanctification of a man and a woman to each other

Yichud – In Jewish Law, is the seclusion of a man and a woman in a closed room or a private area; prohibited when the man and woman are not married to one another; for a wedding, as here, it is traditional for the new husband and wife to seclude themselves for a few minutes; an excellent time to break the traditional fast

Seudah – A festive dinner held after Jewish celebrations to honor the occasion; in this case, to honor the bride and groom

Mazel tov – Good luck

Goo-gleh – Your guess is as good as mine on this one

L'chayim – As always, to Life


Paul