Jewish
It is a Jewish tradition for a Bride to
present her Groom with a tallit to wear for
his Aufruf, the reading of the Torah prior
to their ceremony. The Groom's family often
give candlesticks to the Bride that can be
used during the actual wedding ceremony. It
is also a custom for Jewish men to cover
their heads at all times, especially during
prayers, with a kippot (yarmulkes), as a
form of reverence, respect, and
acknowledgement that God is present
everywhere. In some congregations, women
also cover their heads to pray.
Some Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform
wedding ceremonies take place under a
chuppah (wedding canopy). The chuppah is a
rectangular piece of cloth large enough for
the Bride, Groom, Rabbi, and sometimes other
members of the wedding party to stand under.
The chuppah signifies the new home about to
be shared by the newlyweds. Before the
procession to the chuppah, the tanaim are
signed, and the Groom is asked if he is
ready to take on the responsibilities
outlined in the kepubah. He signifies his
willingness by accepting a handkerchief or
other object offered to him by the Rabbi.
The two witnesses to this sign the ketubah.
While the actual text of the ketubah is
never meant to vary, the border decorations
on this document have over the centuries
been the subject of remarkable artistic
creations. At the beginning of the wedding
ceremony, the Bride might observe the
Biblical custom of "Circling the Groom"
seven times. This practice is seen as a
powerful act of definition, where the Bride
will symbolically create the space that they
will share as husband and wife. In Judaism,
the number seven is mystical and represents
completion and fulfillment. Just as the
creation of the world was finished in seven
days, the seven circles complete the
couple's search for each other.
The bedeken, or veiling, is a small ceremony
in which the Groom lowers the veil over the
Bride's face, and by this act acknowledges
that he is marrying the correct woman. This
custom originated in the story of Jacob who
didn't see the face of his Bride prior to
his wedding and was tricked into marrying
Leah instead of his intended, Rachel.
The Jewish marriage ceremony consists of two
parts: Erusin (pre-engagement) and Nissuin
(marriage). These ceremonies were
historically performed up to one year apart,
but more recently the two have been combined
into one ceremony. The Eursin ceremony
begins with Kiddush, the blessing over the
wine. Kiddush is part of virtually all
Jewish observances as a prayer of
sanctification. The exchange of rings
completes the Erusin ceremony.
In Jewish law, a verbal declaration of
marriage is not legally binding unless an
act of Kinyan, a formal physical acquisition
is completed. This is reached when two
witnesses see the Bride accept a ring from
the Groom, and he recites the words of
marriage. After the ketubah has been read at
the ceremony, wine is often poured into a
new glass, and the Sheva Berakhot (Seven
Benedictions) are recited over it. The Bride
and Groom then drink from the glass of wine.
With the ceremony complete, tradition calls
for the Groom to break the wrapped glass by
stomping on it. This final action symbolizes
the destruction of the Holy Temple in
Israel, and reminds guests that love is
fragile. The audience may shout Mazel Tov,
and the Bride and Groom kiss.
Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the
couple may spend a few private moments
together, or Yichud as a symbolic
consummation of their marriage. Later, the
Mitzvah, or obligation, of rejoicing at a
wedding reception is incumbent on the Bride,
Groom, and guests.
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