Mariage juif a Mogador-fran-angl
At the closing of Shabbat
We celebrate Lilt t-hmir
An undertaking that all admire
We eat, we drink, and we praise,
While the Andalousian orchestra plays.
Then we present to the couple a clay container,
In which is placed yeast – Hmira – and flour.
The fiancée puts her gloved hand in the bowl,
The young man lightly puts in his own.
The two hands stir, and touch together,
The Paitan sings with a voice from heaven.
Suddenly, the Zgharit stridently sounds,
The fiancés exchange glances.
We enjoy the delicacies, a fine repast,
And drink ’til we see the bottom of the cask.
Then, each guest steps up
He quips and laughs,
And places in the bowl his gift,
Then quietly leaves, and asks for pardon.
The mixing of Hmira17 is an omen
For the success of the marriage-to-be,
Together they will build their house,
Together they will live in peace.
The next day, Sunday,
Preparations commence.
We borrow from neighbors
Tables, chairs and sundries.
With all the silverware put out
We scrub, gesticulate, and shout.
There is with us a lovely custom,
Taking place on the Monday,
Two days before the wedding,
When the parents of the groom
Come to the parents of the bride.
The rabbis are also there
And the closest of their friends.
Around a table all sit down.
The rabbis tell the groom "Come close!"
This is a solemn point in time
When we invoke the terms of Tenaim
By a clasping of hands confirmed.
The young girl thus becomes his Kinyan,
The young man declaring to her :
I treat this Kinyan as a sincere decree
And commit myself to faithful be
In prosperous times and in difficulty.
On Tuesday eve
– Listen closely to me –
It is the Lilt el henna,
The night of the Henna
We prepare a great festivity
In the house, newly painted,
Of the much-loved fiancée.
The lamps glow,
The copper glints,
Tables overflow
With food and drink.
The Msem'inplay their melodies
We sing with them and we applaud.
The mothers are happy.
They announce triumphantly,
Tomorrow is the marriage day
Anoint vour hands
With henna dye."
Then someone amongst us
Declares with emotion,
"Come with me my, friends,
Look, open-eyed,
Touch with all your fingers, Admire how we have prepared,
Look how we have
For the fiancee A magnificent Sora made."
Then everyone goes
To the room across
And there we see.
.. My friends,
Hats off,
Lhiba! It's marvelous!
Splendid furniture,
Sparkling jewels,
Elegant gowns,
Finely embroidered tablecloths,
Trays, place settings and candelabras,
Boxes of Ar-ar, mother-of-pearl and marble!
Suddenly,
Everyone is quiet.
A great silence falls
As the fiancee, fair and delicate,
Returns from the ritual bath.
Gentle and blushing,
The young girl's
Lashes brush her cheeks,
And, in her mother's arms,
Comfort seeks.
Overcome by so much grace,
Her mother, with a loving embrace,
Consoles her with tenderness,
And together they cry
With sorrow,
Or perhaps with joy.
Then the mother
Shows her a mirror
And tells her kindly, "My daughter, my girl,
This face here You will see no more!"
The young girl looks at herself
With distress