On an evolutionary scale, we're tougher than the boulders of Sinai. Me and my wife, we love a good wedding. She says it takes a brit, a family reunion and a 25th wedding anniversary to equal the joy of a sin- gle marriage ceremony. That's why, last week, we drove 400 miles to a wedding on roads that didn't sport a single decent deli. We almost perished. We lucked out. This wasn't simply a marriage ceremony. It was a seven- day extravaganza, rich with the rewards we out-of-town guests expect — I mean demand. And why not. Didn't I spend $20 on gas? Did I not spend six excruciating hours in the vocal company of three Barry Manilow CDs — my wife's favorite tenor? Find that in our pre-nup! I vvas promised no Barry Manilow and lots of kugel when we stood under the chuppah years ago. Real kugel with plenty of raisins — not Mama Manischevitz frozen noodles. I tried to insert it into the ketzi- bah. My rabbi, a straight-arrow tra- ditionalist, refused. Anyhow, at my cousin's wedding, I was all set for a suitable gustatorial payoff (maybe a kugel entree!) for my $20 gas bill, six hours of Barry and our wedding gift — which we picked up at a road-side yard sale. Really a bargain, because contribut- ing to the gift were several family members who chose not to make the trip. ("Are you kidding? You guys and Barry Manilow for six hours?! Here, take a fiver for a yard- sale wedding gift.") Wonderful Time The wedding was not disappointing. The ceremony and symbolism were overpowering. They did it all, begin- ning with the signing of the ketubah. The ketubah, of course, is written in antique Aramaic so that the groom doesn't understand his commitment to his wife, his in-laws, and her Uncle Louis, who hasn't worked steady since he was fired as a flagman for the State Highway Department. They did the bedeken, too, the veiling of the bride. Necessary, says tradition, so that the groom is not overwhelmed by the beauty of the bride. He shouldn't miss the good- ness of her soul. With this bride, the veil should have been of lead; such was her radiance. And for good measure, they should have blindfolded the groom. There was frenzied dancing by the hungry guests who were magically transported to Jerusalem, Minsk and the Lower East Side by an incredible band from New York. After dinner, the bride and groom were chaired around the room clinging to each other with a white handkerchief. W y wife says it takes a brit, a family reunion and a 25th wedding anniversary to equal the joy of a single marriage ceremony. That's why we drove 400 miles to a wedding. This is a source of much debate among scholars of Judaica. One school holds that the handkerchief symbolizes the physical separation that must prevail before marriage. Others, notably the Alte Rebbe Chaleria in Hotlox, Ala., says that it signifies the last clean handkerchief, sock and shirt the young groom will see until he visits his mama on weekends. Who knows? Me and Mrs. Manilow stayed two days after the wedding so as not to miss a single free meal. And why did she blush when I asked the hostess at the last feed if I could have a couple of corned beefs on rye for the road? What a mitzvah opportunity for the hostess! ri Ted Roberts is an attorney and free- lance writer in Huntsville, Ala. 'V* ART INDS Michigan's Largest Speciality Linen Rental 15 Years of Excellence 2 1 50 Franklin Rd., Ste. A • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 • (248) 332-8700 contact@partylinensonline.com • www.partylinensofmichigan.com Were can Yo u Mc' 2e Dotte%t, Dippat party fan? 111.11.1.11 Make your celebration perfect with the absolute latest party ideas. Straight from New York - specializing in unique entertainment. Most of our interactive activities offer your guests not only unusual entertainment, but giveaways as well. • unique gand Wax Scalpturev t Digital ?Dot° Fanta%y: 'jou Pick,. from FlipVgologram%. Old tip pDoto%. SaperimPoving and Inacli more. We offer ca%tomized back , groand2 along witD many different ways to display your ptorto% • Polaroid PriOtO Boon • Military Dog Tag5 • Teddy Bear Stuffing Station entertainmentbydesign • Cry' talfinit Tattoo Parlor • Creative activities: Candle Art, Spin Art, Sand Art, Jell Cal/4e%, Tie Wing, etc. • Handwriting AnalyM. Pryerliel, gynotle and aerologer% • Fan 4 Game SDow • Live FWD 4 Crab Racing • TDeme Related Place Cards Call for entertainment during your cocktail hour or throughout your entire event. st\ (248) 544-0999 phone (248) 544-0995 fax www.entbydesign.com 3/28 2003 700230 C27