Tfillin and Marriage Symbols

[debka_notion]

Just noticed this morning that not only do we recite psukim (verses) about being bethrothed to G-d while wrapping tfillin straps around our fingers, we then go on to wrap the strap around the ring where people contemporarily wear wedding rings. I wonder if there was some influence, although I very much doubt it. But it was a striking sort of coincidence.

I wonder if that affects how married Jews feel about their rings and/or about their tfillin. (Input, anyone?)

Comments

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

Also, the metaphor pretty well assumes that the speaker is male (as a woman, can I betroth?).

Who is a male speaker betrothing, then, though? Himself? Presumably one can't reverse the ANE gender arrangement on God, even if God is conceived of as female (though that brings to mind all sorts of interesting theological images and ideas), and an individual can't exactly betroth Israel to himself, either, and wouldn't be doing so in this context anyway.

[naomichana.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, it doesn't make a tremendous amount of grammatical/literal sense either way. :) But I find it odd to vocalize sentiments which are not only grammatically but behaviorally male. In most cases, God's attributes and actions are practically if not grammatically gender-neutral. This one's an exception. And it points to the default assumption that a Jew is male, which is one of my sore points. Add that in to my attitude toward Hosea, and... well, you can see why I think virtually anything, up to and including "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," would do a better job of preparing me for prayer. ;)

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

And it points to the default assumption that a Jew is male, which is one of my sore points.

There's got to be some Purim Torah-type potential there for citing symbolic betrothal between God and the Default Male Jew as precedent for halachic gay marriage, though. Or some really weird theological argument positing the Jewish people as God's possessive, abusive husband.