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I often do not stay for the Seudah at a Chasana. However, this past
week we stayed for the Seudah.<br><br>
There was not one word of Torah spoken publicly at the Chosson
Tisch, not one word under the Chupah, and not one word during the
Seudah. Yet this was a "frum" simcha!
<br><br>
<font size=3>From <b>Frankfurt on the Hudson</b> by Steven M. Lowenstein,
page 304<br><br>
In an article in his
congregational bulletin ("The Spiritual Leadership<br>
of the Kehilla," Mitteilungen 1 Aug./Sept. 19661), Rabbi Joseph
Breuer expresses his<br>
reservations about the new custom of Hasidic dancing: "While we are
not used to<br>
the manner in which frequently also in our circles the joyous
participation in wed-<br>
dings manifests itself, such "deviation," actually an imitation
of other circles, is of<br>
no real significance. We are concerned with the custom which calls for
vigorous<br>
`Mitzve dancing' during the festive meal but does not provide an
opportunity for a<br>
single Dvar Torah (either under the Chuppa or during the meal). This
practice<br>
directly contrasts with the admonition of our Sages which characterizes
any meal,<br>
particularly a festive one, as a `meal of the dead' that is not
accompanied by Words<br>
of Torah."<br><br>
I have been told that a D'var Torah is common at many Chasanas in
Europe. Someone once wrote to me that at the marriages of each of their
sons, each one of them made a siyum on a mesechta at the Choson
Tisch.<br><br>
I can only wonder why it has become standard in America to not have a
D'var Torah at a Chasana.<br><br>
YL</font></body>
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