תלמוד בבלי כתובות ח.
ברוך אתה ה' יוצר האדם...שמח תשמח ריעים האהובים, כשמחך יצירך בגן עדן מקדם...אשר ברא ששון ושמחה, חתן וכלה, גילה, רינה, דיצה, חדוה, אהבה ואחוה ושלום וריעות
Blessed are you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who established from within humanity (adam) a building for eternity. Blessed are you, Lord, creator of the human being (adam). Blessed are you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who . . . brings intense joy and exultation . . . who gladdens the beloved companions as they were in the Garden of Eden . . . who created joy and gladness, groom and bride, mirth and song, pleasure and delight, love and fellowship, and peace and companionship.
[Translation by Rabbi Steve Greenberg]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Marriage is for both personal companionship as well as reproduction.
In the above seven blessings can you find these two elements of friendship and pleasure and on one hand and continuity and family making on the other?
2. Which of these two portrayals of seems dominant in these blessings?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)