Because marriage relationships and vows are not defined to any great extent in the Bible, the sages took up the slack. According to Jewish Law, a promise of marriage (engagement) is not legally binding and can be broken off.

Judaism defines engagement (irussin) as the first of two parts of marriage, the second being actually taking the bride (nissuin). In the past and sometimes even today, parents use a matchmaker (shadchan) with their young teenagers, who become engaged from an early age.

Engagement, the first part of the marriage, covered the financial arrangements, such as the dowry, the ketuba (marriage contract), and costs of the wedding. A marriage ceremony without a prior engagement was considered an impropriety.

An engaged woman (arussa) is off limits to the advances of other men. If one of the two backs out of the engagement, the other can demand financial compensation, known as the knass (fine). This certificate of conditions is written in the ketuba.

During the ceremony, the bridegroom places the ring on the bride’s finger after the blessing over the wine (kiddush), saying, “By this ring you are sanctified [dedicated] to me, as Moses commanded Israel.”