betrothal, or formal engagement. This is the ceremony where the “chasan,” the groom, places an object of some value, generally a plain ring, in the bride’s hand, and declares the Hebrew equivalent of, “Behold, you are now betrothed unto me by this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel. ” At this point, the “chasan” and “kallah” are considered to be married, in the sense that that she is forbidden to any other man. But bride and groom may not live intimately with each other until the ceremony of “yichud,” “spending a short amount of time with each other in complete privacy.” That process completes their wedding.