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Question
Who has authority to perform a marriage under Jewish law? I have been told by some that it must be a rabbi, by some that it may also be a cantor and by some that it can be any Jewish person (all must have Jewish witnesses).
Answer
The authority to officiate at a wedding depends upon the local laws of the
State or locale. In the US, clergy are authorized - in addition to others -
to officiate at a wedding. Clergy are authorized for a religious ceremony.
Others, a justice of the peace or judge, for example, officiates at a
secular wedding. The religious ceremony requires a license that is filed
with the secular authorities and fulfills both secular and religious law in
that manner.
Whether Rabbi, Cantor is a function of secular law. You need to contact the
local marriage license bureau for a definitive ruling. Don't forget to
determine if the Rabbi or Cantor meets the standards of proper
ordination/investiture. In New York City, we had to bring a letter from the
Seminary before we could be registered to officiate, for example.
If only Jewish law were to apply, then any knowledgeable Jew who can guide
the couple through the proper rituals, supervise the writing of a ketuba,
would be able to officiate, and two "kosher" witnesses would be needed as
well for the wedding - need not be the Rabbi or Cantor.
The best approach is to speak with your Rabbi or the Rabbi whom you are
asking to officiate and his/her opinion is the authoritative and final word
on the matter.
By the way, you can also have several clergy officiate, and it often is the
case that both bride and groom both bring their Rabbi and or Cantor to
participate.Best Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation for Family Education (FFFE)
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