Question:
My fiancé were reading a book, entitled _________ that discusses Jewish weddings. It said that any Jewish person, not necessarily a rabbi, can perform the wedding ceremony. Is this true? Because if so, my fiancé and I would like very much to ask a dear relative of ours to conduct the service at our wedding.
Answer:
Mazel Tov on your engagement! May you spend a long lifetime of peace and harmony with one another and build a beautiful home of love and cute Jewish kids!
I'm not familiar with the book you mention. I know that the Shulchan Aruch (that's the standard code of Jewish law) states that a person must have permission from the rabbinical authorities of the town before performing a marriage. The Talmud states clearly that the laws of marriage are complex and an error can be very serious, "therefore, one who is not intimately familiar with these laws should not deal with them."
On the other hand, once you have a rabbi who is familiar with these laws present, you can ask your relative to officiate as an MC. He can make the speeches, direct the traffic and all the other high-profile matters. The rabbi needs only to be there to ensure everything is done right.
I have personally done several weddings this way and everyone was happy.
Visit our Marriage Section for more about the Jewish perspective on marriage, as well as its associated laws and traditions.
Rabbi Tzvi Freeman for Chabad.org
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