Make
two gold rings for the breastplate, and attach the two rings (et shtei
hatabaot) to the two (upper) corners of the breastplate. Exodus 28:23
The
initial letters of the words “et shtei hatabaot” spell “isha” (woman),
which is the basis of the custom to marry
a woman with a ring. Rabbi Ḥayyim Paltiel (c. 1240 – 1300)
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We may suggest that there is a significant conceptual connection between marriage and the rings of the High Priest’s breastplate. The purpose of the rings of the breastplate was to connect the breastplate to the ephod of the High Priest, while marriage too is all about the connection between husband and wife.
Even
more, the connection between the breastplate and ephod is one of
sanctity, and so too married life must be based upon sanctity, and indeed,
marriage is called “kiddushin,” sanctification.
Ultimately,
the purpose of connecting the breastplate to the ephod was to allow “Aaron
to carry the names of the Children of Israel on the breastplate on his
heart when he comes into the sanctuary.” [Exodus 28:29] The wedding ring should
serve as a reminder that the basis of married life is sanctity, and that
sanctity allows each spouse to carry his/her mate on his/her heart as he/she
enters the sanctuary of marriage.
Ḥassidic
Master Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu of Modzitz (1905 – 1984) suggested an additional
significance of the universal Jewish custom of using a wedding ring, despite
the fact that this custom is not mentioned in the Talmudic sources. The ring
is, of course, continuously round, symbolizing the married couple as a single
unit, with complete equality and lack of selfishness.
These
words are dedicated to the memory of Gloria, my life’s partner, the wife of my
youth my companion and the wife of my covenant. [Malachi 2:14]
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