138 Selected Responsa

development of the hupah(wedding canopy) in the late Middle Ages, the custom was(and is still the custom in parts of western Germany) that the groom, during the ceremony, spreads his zalit over the head of the bride, thus symbolizing their seclusion and their unity. However, most of these customs of special items for the groom and the bride are no longer practiced among some Orthodox Jews , and certainly not among non-Orthodox Jews . Therefore we can say that there is no objection to whatever type of clothes or uniform the bridegroom wears.

Although this, in general, is the case, that in those marriages which are not strictly Orthodox a soldier may be married in his uniform, nevertheless there may be a specific objection to the wearing of a sword, since the sword does seem to symbolize a mood opposite to the mood of unity and love which should prevail at a wedding. Hence the question. Besides this feeling, the very fact that

this question was asked is an indication that there is some recollection of some Jewish law that may be directly involved. It1s this latter question which concerns us.

The Mishnah in Berakhot XI:5 says that it is forbidden 0 enter the Temple Mount in Jerusalem carrying one’s money-belt and one’s walking stick. But according to the Shulhan Arukh(Orach Chayim 151:6) it is permitted to enter our synagogue(i.e., not the ancient Temple ) with staff and money belt. But Joseph Caro adds that“Some say that it is forbidden to enter a synagogue with a long knife.” In his Bet Joseph, his commentary to the Tur, he gives the source of this individual opinion. It is taken from the Orchot Chay" (Aaron of Lunel) Vol. I,“Laws of the Synagogue,”#7, where this prohibition is mentioned in the name of Meir of Rothenburg . The reason given by Meir of Rothenburg as quoted by the Orchot Chayir is that the synagogue prolongs life and the“long knife” shortens it