Marriage as a significant practice in Judaism: HSC Studies of Religion

Criteria (NESA 2025 marking guidelines, SoR I Q16(a), SoR II Q27(a)). 3: describes how ONE significant practice expresses ONE belief of Judaism, integrating relevant terminology. 2: outlines. 1: statements about Judaism.

NESA's sample answer used marriage. "Jewish marriage reflects the belief in the Covenant. Through the wedding vows and the Ketubah, the couple form a divine partnership, symbolising the Covenantal relationship between Yahweh and His people."

A fuller 3-mark answer.

1. Belief. The covenant (brit) between God and Israel, a binding relationship of faithfulness.
2. Practice. Before the ceremony the ketubah, a written marriage contract setting out the husband's obligations to his wife, is signed by witnesses and read under the chuppah; the groom gives the bride a ring saying she is consecrated to him "according to the law of Moses and Israel".
3. Link. The binding, witnessed commitment mirrors God's covenant with Israel, which the prophets describe as a marriage: "I will espouse you forever" (Hosea 2:21, JPS).

Source: NESA, 2025 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Criteria (NESA 2024 marking guidelines, SoR I Q16(b), SoR II Q27(b)). 8: a detailed and accurate explanation of how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Judaism, integrating the statement effectively throughout, clear and relevant evidence, integrated terminology. 6 to 7: accurate explanation, statement integrated. 4 to 5: some explanation. 2 to 3: an outline. 1: general statements.

Plan (each rite as a thread).

1. Kiddushin: holiness. The word means sanctification; the couple are set apart for each other before God.
2. Ketubah: covenant and Torah law. A binding contract mirroring the covenant.
3. Chuppah: the Jewish home. A canopy open on all sides, recalling Abraham's hospitality.
4. Sheva brachot: creation and redemption. Blessings praising God as Creator of humanity and of joy, and praying for the restoration of Zion.
5. Breaking the glass: memory of Jerusalem. "If I forget you, O Jerusalem" (Psalm 137:5).
6. Community. A minyan and witnesses; the whole community rejoices with the couple.

Source: NESA, 2024 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Criteria (NESA 2023 marking guidelines, SoR I Q16(b), SoR II Q27(b)). 5: an accurate and detailed analysis of the importance of ONE practice, clear and relevant examples, integrated terminology. 4: accurate analysis. 3: an explanation. 2: general statements about the practice. 1: general statements about Judaism.

Plan (marriage).

1. Fulfilling God's purpose. "It is not good for the Human to be alone" (Genesis 2:18); "Be fertile and increase" (Genesis 1:28).
2. Holiness. Kiddushin sanctifies love and sexuality within a covenant.
3. Continuity. The Jewish home and children transmit Judaism across generations.
4. Community. Weddings gather the community, and the sheva brachot meals extend the celebration for a week.
5. Analysis. Importance is shared across movements, but they differ on ketubah wording, egalitarian ceremonies, interfaith and same-sex marriage.

Source: NESA, 2023 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Criteria (NESA 2022 marking guidelines, SoR I Q16(b), SoR II Q27(b)). 6: a clear and detailed explanation of how ONE practice expresses the beliefs of Judaism, integrated terminology. 4 to 5: clear explanation with relevant evidence. 2 to 3: some explanation. 1: a general statement.

NESA's sample answer used marriage. It explained that the Talmud calls marriage kiddushin, "the most elevated status in Judaism, that of holiness and consecration to God"; that the ketubah "involves a promise to God and a promise between the couple", symbolic of the covenant at Sinai; that the chuppah "symbolises the marital home and the importance of family"; and that the blessings include forming a new family, "to go forth and multiply", because "without family, there is no continuation of Jewish tradition".

Source: NESA, 2022 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Criteria (NESA 2021 marking guidelines, SoR I Q16(a), SoR II Q27(a)). 3: accurately outlines ONE action or ritual drawn from a significant practice. 2: briefly outlines. 1: a statement about a practice.

Model. At the end of the wedding ceremony under the chuppah, the groom (or in many egalitarian ceremonies both partners) breaks a glass by stepping on it, and guests call "Mazal tov!". The act recalls the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, so that even at the happiest moment Jews remember Jerusalem: "if I do not keep Jerusalem in memory even at my happiest hour" (Psalm 137:6, JPS).

Source: NESA, 2021 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Criteria (NESA 2020 marking guidelines, SoR I Q16(b), SoR II Q27(b)). 7 to 8: accurate and detailed information on how observance of the "laws and rules" expresses the beliefs of Judaism within ONE practice, clear and relevant evidence, integrated terminology. 5 to 6: accurate information with some evidence. 3 to 4: general statements. 1 to 2: statements about a practice.

NESA's sample answer used marriage. It said marriage is "the closest approximation of the idealised relationship between man and THE LORD", and that following the "laws and rules" "creates a structure through which adherents can express their faith": marriage is for love and companionship (Genesis 2:18 and 20 to 25); kiddushin with a token of little value (the Mishnah suggests a small coin; today usually a plain ring), given so there is "no possibility of deception"; the ketubah that "spells out the 'laws and rules'" and "echoes the Covenantal relationship"; the chuppah as the new home; the sheva brakhot "recognising THE LORD's role"; and a ceremony completed before the community.

Source: NESA, 2020 HSC Studies of Religion examination and marking guidelines.

Under the chuppah, a canopy held up by four poles and open on all sides, the rabbi recites blessings over wine and the couple drink. The groom places a ring on the bride's finger, saying, "Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel". The ketubah is read aloud, the seven blessings (sheva brachot) are recited over a second cup of wine, and the ceremony ends with the breaking of a glass.

Marking: 1 for the chuppah, 1 for kiddushin with the ring, 1 for the ketubah, blessings or glass.

The belief

God made a covenant (brit) with Abraham and with Israel at Sinai, a binding relationship of mutual faithfulness; the prophets describe it as a marriage (Hosea 2:21-22; the "covenanted spouse" of Malachi 2:14).

In the practice

The ketubah is a binding written covenant between husband and wife, witnessed and read publicly, as the Torah was given before all Israel (NESA 2020: it "echoes the Covenantal relationship"). The ring given "according to the law of Moses and Israel" places the marriage within the covenant law. The sheva brachot praise God who created humanity in His image and pray for the joy of Zion, linking the couple's covenant to God's covenant with the people.

Result

Faithfulness in marriage mirrors Israel's faithfulness to God.

Marking (Original): 5 for the belief, several elements linked, and texts.

Shared

Both use the chuppah, blessings over wine, a ring, a ketubah, the sheva brachot and the breaking of the glass, and see marriage as kiddushin (holiness).

Orthodox

The groom gives the ring and the bride accepts it; the traditional Aramaic ketubah sets out the husband's obligations; the bride often immerses in the mikveh beforehand; witnesses must be observant Jewish men; only marriages between two Jews are performed; divorce requires a get given by the husband.

Progressive (Reform and Liberal)

Egalitarian ceremonies in which both partners give rings and make promises; egalitarian ketubah texts; women serve as witnesses and rabbis; many Progressive rabbis officiate at same-sex weddings, and some at interfaith weddings.

Marking (Original): 5 for accurate features of both and explicit similarities and differences.

Individual

Fulfils God's purpose that humans not be alone (Genesis 2:18) and the command to "be fertile and increase" (1:28); sanctifies love and sexuality (kiddushin); a new stage of life marked by the ketubah's commitments; many couples fast and pray on the wedding day, which is seen as a personal Yom Kippur of new beginnings.

Community

The Jewish home is the centre of Shabbat, festivals and education, so marriage transmits Judaism to the next generation (NESA 2022: "without family, there is no continuation of Jewish tradition"); the community witnesses and rejoices (the mitzvah of gladdening bride and groom); the breaking of the glass links each wedding to Jewish history.

Analysis

Marriage is significant across all movements, but debates about interfaith marriage, same-sex marriage and the agunah problem show how the practice both preserves tradition and responds to change, including in Australia's Jewish community.

Marking (Original): 8 for detailed significance at both levels with evidence, diversity and a judgement.