Naʿama: Tell me about matchmaking at that time.
Yona: Couples already knew each other and were interested in a life partner. They then go to the parents and arrange a marriage. It was possible to get a bride price, where the groom’s family pays the family of the bride. The girls were protected from the Arabs. It was important for Jewish girls to marry Jews. The Arabs stole the Jewish girls and wanted them for their good names and reputation. Traditionally, the young man comes to the family and tries to persuade the bride to marry him. (There is a disagreement between Shalom and Yona regarding the bride’s acceptance of marriage).
Shalom: There was this man in Kfar Shamʾai who had a beautiful daughter, and she courted me, but I wasn’t interested. She told her father, and I responded that I already have Yona Ḥamama. It was all about love. Yona was beautiful. In front of witnesses, we got engaged on our second date.