Changes

Long engagements were once common in [[formal]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage arranged marriages] and it was not uncommon for [[parents]] betrothing children to arrange such many years before the engaged couple were old enough to [[marry]].

Long engagements were once common in [[formal]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage arranged marriages] and it was not uncommon for [[parents]] betrothing children to arrange such many years before the engaged couple were old enough to [[marry]].

The [[origins]] of European engagement in [[marriage]] [[practice]] is found in the Jewish law ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah Torah]), first exemplified by [[Abraham]], and outlined in the last [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud Talmudic] tractate of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashim Nashim] (Women) order, where marriage consists of two separate [[acts]], called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erusin ''erusin''] (or ''kiddushin'', meaning ''sanctification''), which is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betrothal betrothal] [[ceremony]], and nissu'in or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chupah ''chupah'', the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding actual ceremony for the marriage]. ''Erusin'' changes the couple's interpersonal status, while ''nissu'in'' brings about the [[legal]] consequences of the [[change]] of [[status]]. (However, in the Talmud and other sources of Jewish law there is also a process, called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shidduch ''shidduchin''], corresponding to what today is called engagement. Marrying without such an agreement is considered immoral.[2] To complicate matters,''erusin'' in modern Hebrew means engagement, not betrothal.)

The [[origins]] of European engagement in [[marriage]] [[practice]] is found in the Jewish law ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah Torah]), first exemplified by [[Abraham]], and outlined in the last [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud Talmudic] tractate of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashim Nashim] (Women) order, where marriage consists of two separate [[acts]], called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erusin ''erusin''] (or ''kiddushin'', meaning ''sanctification''), which is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betrothal betrothal] [[ceremony]], and nissu'in or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chupah ''chupah''], the [[Wedding|actual ceremony for the marriage]]. ''Erusin'' changes the couple's interpersonal status, while ''nissu'in'' brings about the [[legal]] consequences of the [[change]] of [[status]]. (However, in the Talmud and other sources of Jewish law there is also a process, called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shidduch ''shidduchin''], corresponding to what today is called engagement. Marrying without such an agreement is considered immoral.[2] To complicate matters,''erusin'' in modern Hebrew means engagement, not betrothal.)

This was later adopted in Ancient Greece as the ''gamos'' and ''engeysis'' [[rituals]], although unlike in [[Judaism]], the contract made in front of [[witness]] was only verbal. The giving of a ring was eventually borrowed from Judaism by Roman marriage law, with the ''fiancé'' presenting it after swearing the oath of marriage [[intent]], and presenting of the [[gifts]] at the engagement party.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiance]

This was later adopted in Ancient Greece as the ''gamos'' and ''engeysis'' [[rituals]], although unlike in [[Judaism]], the contract made in front of [[witness]] was only verbal. The giving of a ring was eventually borrowed from Judaism by Roman marriage law, with the ''fiancé'' presenting it after swearing the oath of marriage [[intent]], and presenting of the [[gifts]] at the engagement party.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiance]