Bene Israel Malida and Wedding Ceremony Re-enactment

Our Edot class had a lot of fun yesterday, dressed in costumes to look like Bene Israel members of the Jewish community in India. We were re-enacting two important ceremonies of the Bene Israel - the Malida ceremony, which venerates the Prophet Elijah, and a traditional wedding ceremony.  Since the Malida ceremony is not a stand-alone ceremony - it is always a part of a Jewish holiday or life cycle event - we decided to make it a part of a wedding ceremony.

We started each session by preparing the traditional dish served during the Malida ceremony. Luckily, it doesn't take much time to prepare.

Pouring cold water into the Poha (rice flakes)

Pondering the mysteries of the universe while waiting 4 minutes for the Poha flakes to absorb the water

Draining the water from the Poha

Holding up the sugar about to be added in (the Cup of Elijah?)

the finished product

As soon as we finished preparing the dish, it was time to prepare for the re-enactment.

Trying on costumes for the right fit

Studying the script and getting into character

 AND FINALLY THE CEREMONY ITSELF

The bridal  party is welcomed at the door to the synagogue by the fathers of the bride and groom

The Rabbi welcomes the bride and groom with verses from the Song of Songs

BEFORE THE WEDDING CAN CONTINUE, THE MALIDA CEREMONY TAKES PLACE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE "ELIYAHU HA'NAVI (ELIJAH THE PROPHET) CEREMONY

A close-up view of the ceremonial Malida dish, served with five fruits - date, apple, orange, pear, and banana

The Torah scroll opened to the 10 commandments is held before the bride, who must kiss the scroll 7 times to begin the ceremony

The bride's maids put gold jewelry on her so she will look like a queen, then immediately cover her head with a white cloth, to hide her beauty

The groom's friends put a garland of flowers and a gold crown on his head, so he will look like a king

Just before signing the ketuba (marriage contract), the bride's face is uncovered to reveal her beauty and all the guests chant, "Oh beautiful as the Moon!" (from the Book of Proverbs)

THE KETUBA SIGNING CEREMONY THEN FOLLOWS

The ceremony ended with a procession from the synagogue to the groom's home (we marched around the lawn in front of the Sanctuary, facing the Reservoir), where the happy couple will live for the first few years of their marriage.

So far this year, our world-traveling Edot students have racked up the miles. We started in the United States with the American Edah, then hopped over to Poland and Russia to learn about Ashkenazi edot, and now we've completed our visit with the Bene Israel of India.  Next stop - MOROCCO!