Exclusive Offer Only from Glassman Aurora .11 deal of positive energy," she says. Rooted in Jewish law and cus- tom is the idea that when a man and woman come together in marriage, it is a time of blessing and closeness to God. The Torah states that man and woman were created incomplete; they become whole when linked to- gether as husband and wife. Because of these statements from the Torah, many pre-wed- ding activities are directed to- ward a spiritual end, which encourage bride and groom to spend time preparing for the big day: spiritually, emotionally and practically. Bride and groom study Jewish laws, customs and perspectives on marriage. An example — found in Rab- bi Aryeh Kaplan's handbook, Made in Heaven — is the kallah's first immersion in a walks around the groom. The act of circling is also ex- plained as a symbol of the woman protecting her husband from harm, according to Rabbi Maurice Lamm's The Jewish Way In Love and Marriage. An- other interpretation, he writes, is that the action creates a cir- cle of privacy, inside which the bride and groom build a new life together. Torah tradition also gives a couple an opportunity to trans- fer the energy from their wed- ding into the first week of their marriage — through sheva bra- chot (seven blessings). That week, a couple's family and friends organize as many as sev- en festive gatherings, each cen- tered around a meal. Sheva • brachot help the couple make a transition into this new phase of their lives. Introducing The ALL NEW 1997 A .111. ffl T." AL/T?C:10/.4. AtIMPWRA, by Oldsmobile 5: 41-a ll, 445t4- 951-5S 45. $399 * 25 AVAILABLE AT THIS PRICE Experience the power of a V-8 Engine, the safety of Dual Airbags and standard features that you might find in an expensive luxury import. Even the high quality Compact Disc Player comes standard with every Aurora. CHOOSE FROM A RAINBOW OF COLORS: month LEASE FOR 36 MONTHS • Dark Cherry Red Metallic • Champagne Metallic • Medium Garnet Red Metallic • Silver Teal Metallic • Light Gray Metallic • Light Adriatic Blue Metallic • Dark Green Metallic • Dark Green/Gray Metallic • Black • White .Oldsmobile Demand Better PHOTOS BY GORBACK STUDIO. *36 month closed end lease. Option to purchase at lease end for price to be determined at lease inception. Security deposit. 1st months pymt. dent. and acq. fee of $400 due at inception. Tax, title plates, due at inception. Lessee resp. for excess wear and tear. 15t per mile over 12,000 per year. To get total obligation multiply term by pymt. Glassman Aurora Telegraph • At The Tel-12 Mall • Southfield 810-354.3300 1.800-354-5558 Noam Raz's nuptials are celebrated by dancing male guests. mikvah (ritual bath). Many new brides say that first dip brings them a closeness to God — more so than they had previously ex- perienced; others say it is like a spiritual rebirth, and the woman emerges a new person, in a new, married life. Circling creates a circle of privacy. Another custom is a wedding- day fast. "The bride and groom fast to disassociate themselves from the physical," making them better able to focus on the spir- itual aspects of their marriage, Made in Heaven explains. Like a little Yom Kippur, on a cou- ple's wedding day it is as if their sins are wiped clean. The marriage ceremony itself is symbolic of the seven days of creation. This idea manifests through the recitation of seven blessings under the chuppah, and the seven circles the bride After months of planning for one day, the sheva brachot also help a couple to avoid feeling let down after the day is over. Darra Phillips, a West Bloom- field native who now lives in Jerusalem with her husband and daughter, says some of her most joyful moments have been at religious Jewish wed- dings. "You are seeing each other in a very supportive, loving envi- ronment surrounded by friends and family," she says. "When missiles are falling on Tel Aviv or there is a bus bombing in Jerusalem, a Jew sitting in De- troit watching the news feels an emotional connection to their Ju- daism," Phillips says. "But why do we have to wait for a bus bombing, when we can take the power of the creation of a new family at a wedding to more strongly feel that connection? 'When Jews are involved in working toward the same goal, a special strength exists, mak- ing it a time of blessing. And when you feel the most con- nected to other people, you feel the most connected to God." ❑ MR. ALAN'S SHOES & SPORTSWEAR Your Comfort Shoe Headquarters EUROPEAN COLLECTIONS WEST BLOOMFIELD (248) 626-3362 SOUTHFIELD (248) 559-7818 PEOPLE'S (HOKE BANDS • DJ's • ENTERTAINMEN7 atzti Mg. 4,..e! (810) 855-64P0 INSTANT PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALIST • Polaroids • 35 MM Portraits • Memory Books PHOTOS BY GILSO 810-661-5415 io-hrg Cold Fur Storage Spring Prepaid Special: $27 in Downtown Birmingham (248) 642-1690 GARY R. t00% .T .ER PHOTOGR A PH Y (3 MAD) 350-15.50