Editing Engagement (section)

==Origin==

The origins of [[Europe]]an engagement in marriage practice are found in the Jewish law ([[Torah]]), first exemplified by [[Abraham]], and outlined in the last [[Talmud]]ic tractate of the [[Nashim]] (Women) order, where [[marriage]] consists of two separate acts, called ''[[Erusin (Jewish betrothal)|erusin]]'' (or ''kiddushin'', meaning ''sanctification''<!--BUT historic Jewish writers sometimes use ''kiddushin'' to refer to marriage as a whole, so for the sake of avoiding ambiguity don't use it in the article as a synonym for erusin--><!--On the other hand, in modern Hebrew, erusin means engagement-->), which is the [[betrothal]] ceremony, and ''nissu'in'' or ''[[chupah]]'',{{efn|To be precise, ''nesiuin'' is the process, and ''chuppah'' is the method.}} the actual [[wedding|ceremony for the marriage]]. ''Erusin'' changes the couple's interpersonal status, while ''nissu'in'' brings about the legal consequences of the change of status. (However, in the Talmud and other sources of Jewish law there is also a process, called ''shiduchin'', corresponding to what today is called engagement. Marrying without such an agreement is considered immoral.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kaplan|first=Rabbi Aryeh|title=Made in Heaven, A Jewish Wedding Guide|year=1983|publisher=Moznaim Publishing|location=New York / Jerusalem}}, Chapter 4, See also footnote 1 and 2. The author uses the specific term ''proposal'', and considers this the first step in a formal engagement.</ref> To complicate matters, ''erusin'' in modern Hebrew means engagement, not betrothal.)

This was later adopted in ancient Greece as the ''gamos'' and ''engeysis'' rituals, although unlike in Judaism, the contract made in front of witness was only verbal.<ref>Norman Bancroft Hunt, ''Living in Ancient Greece'', Infobase Publishing, 2008, p. 44 {{ISBN?}}</ref> The giving of a ring was eventually borrowed from Judaism by Roman marriage law, with the fiancé presenting it after swearing the oath of marriage intent, and presenting of the gifts at the engagement party.<ref>Philippe Ariès, Paul Veyne, eds., ''A History of Private Life: From pagan Rome to Byzantium'', Harvard University Press, 1992, p. 467 {{ISBN?}}</ref>