A Glutton-Free Wedding?

The Presbyterian minister of the nearby church in Atlanta was a true ohev Yisrael, even delivering pro-Israel sermons and denouncing anti-Semitism from his pulpit. Despite the great divide in our beliefs, we were quite friendly over the years.

When he invited me to his daughter’s church wedding, I explained that I could not attend. He readily understood, but invited me to the reception following the wedding service. Since that was to be held on the broad lawn outside the church, I accepted.

The ceremony was called for a Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., to be followed by the outdoor reception. Since this was not a Jewish wedding, I knew that 2 p.m. meant 2 p.m., so I arrived at the reception at 3:00, as the guests were gathering on the lawn. The entire area was tastefully decorated, tables laden with varieties of sweets and cakes, pastries, ices, parfaits, and various beverages and soft drinks. Two violinists playing light music strolled amid the approximately 200 guests, and the photographer was unobtrusive as he mingled among us. There was a brief speech by the minister, another by the groom, after which the immediate family and relatives moved back into the social hall for a family dinner. The afternoon was solemn but pleasant, dignified but happy.

Two weeks later I attended an Orthodox wedding in New York. The chuppah, called for 6 p.m., began at eight. Prior to the chuppah, special tables were overflowing with what is called a smorgasbord: a dizzying variety of condiments, hors d’oeuvres, meats, corned beef, salami, frankfurters, hamburgers, cholent, small sandwiches, cakes and candies and drinks, some of which were soft. Waiters proffering heavy trays of more goodies strolled through the crowd of about 200.