Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version nyu B notes v1.5 12/10/84; site csd2.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!amd!vecpyr!lll-crg!gymble!umcp-cs!seismo!cmcl2!csd2!meth From: meth@csd2.UUCP (Asher Meth) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: throwing candy Message-ID: <3780066@csd2.UUCP> Date: Fri, 16-Aug-85 08:28:00 EDT Article-I.D.: csd2.3780066 Posted: Fri Aug 16 08:28:00 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 02:21:44 EDT References: <741@lsuc.UUCP> Organization: New York University Lines: 25 Yom hashishi, erev shabbos leparshas re-ei, 29 Menachem-Av 5745 The custom of throwing candy, nuts, etc. at a chosson (bridegromm) at the "aufruf" (when he is called to the Torah the shabbos before his wedding) is symbolic of our wishing him and his bride-to-be many blessings (wishing, or perhaps, throwing blessings at them). I don't have the sources for this in front of me, but Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan alav hashalom (may he rest in peace) wrote a book called - "Made in Heaven", a guide to the Jewish wedding. He takes one through all the steps and customs leading up to and at the wedding. He also has extensive footnotes (where he gives his sources). ----- I asked my brother about this, and he suggested another reason (he is not sure if he ever saw or heard it). On the day of their wedding, it is customary for the chosson and kallah (bride) to observe a private Yom Kippur and to fast. There is an old custom among some people to get (symbolic) lashes (makkos) on the day before Yom Kippur, as a partial atonement for their sins. Perhaps this custom spread to - throwing candy at the chosson as a symbolic lashing, to atone for any sins, in case it is necessary. Again, no source for this. Check Rabbi Kaplan's book. ---------------------------------------------------- Asher Meth ....... meth@nyu-csd2.arpa ....... allegra!cmcl2!csd2!meth