The ceremony is performed in manner following. A canopy is raised under which the bridegroom takes his stand. The bride is brought in and placed either at his right hand or opposite to him. The officiating minister pronounces the initiatory nuptial benediction, after which he receives from the bridegroom a ring that must be of a certain value and the absolute property of the bridegroom, purchased and paid for by him and not received as a present or bought on credit. After due inquiry on these points, the minister returns the ring to the bridegroom, who places it on the forefinger of the bride’s right hand, while at the same time he says to her in Hebrew: “Behold! thou art _mekudesheth_ consecrated unto me by means of this ring, according to the law of Moses and of Israel.” The bride joins in and expresses her consent to this act of consecration by holding out her right hand and accepting the ring; which--after her husband has pronounced the formula--constitutes her his lawful wife; so that, even though the marriage should not be consummated, neither party is thenceforth at liberty to contract another marriage, unless they have previously been divorced according to law: and if the woman were to submit to the embraces of another man, she would be guilty of adultery. The law which enjoins “consecration” requires that the symbol of the act should be an object made of one of the precious metals--gold or silver--and of a certain value. But though the law does not insist on or even mention a ring, yet the custom of using a ring has, during very many centuries, so generally prevailed--to the exclusion of all other symbols--that the words “by means of this ring” have been incorporated in the formula of consecration. In the greater part of Europe and in America the ring is usually of gold; but in Russia, Poland and the East the poorer classes use rings of silver. 2d. The civil act _Ketubah_, written contract: As soon as bridegroom and bride have completed the act of consecration, the officiating minister proceeds to read the marriage contract, a document in Hebrew characters, signed by the bridegroom in the presence of two competent witnesses--by which the husband engages to protect, cherish and maintain his wife; to provide her with food, raiment, lodging and all other necessaries; and secure to her a dowry for the payment of which the whole of his estate--real and personal--stands pledged. When this document has been read, the minister pronounces the closing nuptial benediction, and a glass is broken in memory of Jerusalem destroyed, (see Psalm cxxxvii.,) which completes the ceremony. The psalm here referred to is that most beautiful one, beginning, “By the rivers of Babylon,” and ending with what has immediate reference to the destruction: “Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”[351]