Intro

SplittingSeathe3 Perspectives on the world of Shidduchim

One of the most famous Gemaras about marriage is found on the first page of Masechtes Sota. “Kashin Zivugin K’kriyas Yam Suf: bringing people together in marriage is as difficult as splitting the Sea of Reeds.” Kriyas Yam Suf was the quintessential miracle of Jewish history, but it was also a time of great difficulty and challenge for Am Yisroel. It was the bold faith of Nachshon in the face of imminent destruction that led to the miracle occurring. It is this perspective that is perhaps most familiar to anyone who has spent time in the parsha of shidduchim, as a single or as the parent of a child looking for their match. It is an era of life that has incredible challenges, but also one that leads to a miraculous conclusion, delivering us into experiencing one of the most beautiful parts of life. In honor of Pesach, and its celebration of all open miracles and particularly Kriyas Yam Suf, the Center Spirit magazine took a long look at the topic of shidduchim. We examined our topic from different angles, hearing from singles, shadchanim and married couples, all of whom shared their perspective on the exhausting, exhilarating, complex and miraculous process of getting to the “Az Yashir” moment of matrimonial harmony and beyond.