TENOYIM-ENGANGEMENT

Orthodox:

Official and legal Jewish engagement involves the signing of tehnoyi'm, "conditions." A tehnoyi'm agreement is drawn up (these days they are preprinted) stipulating and outlining various obligations, duties, and responsibilities, including a penalty or fee to be paid should the engagement be broken. Frequently at the conclusion of this agreement and signing, a plate is broken for good luck. Why? Again there are two "common" answers: (1) the traditional "for good luck" answer, which includes the scaring away of demons and spirits, and (2) the plate is broken in contradistinction to the glass-breaking at the actual wedding.

Tehnoyim, although a Hebrew word, is usually used in the more traditional circles where Yiddish is spoken. In other circles, the same situation the agreeing to the terms of engagement is acknowledged and celebrated by the representatives of both the bride and groom holding the ends of a white handkerchief, following the signing of the tehnoyim. This "white handkerchief" ceremony, also of course symbolizing their agreement, is referred to as kahbahlas kinyan, meaning "receiving the acquisition."